There is no time like the present for Payne Haas, who is keeping his focus on the here and now as he prepares for what’s building as an explosive challenge – taking on Melbourne in the grand final.
The fuse has well and truly been lit for a fiery encounter – especially up front – in Sunday’s decider, with his NSW Blues team-mate Stefano Utoikamanu flinging pre-game thunderbolts.
Utoikamanu: "I came here to play finals footy"
While he paid Haas suitable respect in saying he was looking forward to the challenge of facing off against “one of the best props in the game, if not the best” he told media in Melbourne he thought elements of the Brisbane team were “stuck up”.
When presented with those comments, Haas was taken aback; but quickly reset to bring the focus back to his team.
“I don't really care what they say to be honest, they can say what they want, but at the end of the day, we'll be out there on Sunday and we'll see if they're still going to be throwing (that) around,” Haas said.
“We will worry about ourselves and worry about our own preparation ... when that comes around, we'll see.
“I don't really care to be honest (about outside perceptions), they think we are who we are and we can't change that.
“They have got this certain image of us down there, so it is what it is. We'll see what happens.”

One of the ‘survivors’ of Brisbane’s gut-wrenching grand final loss to the Nathan Cleary inspired Panthers in 2023, while others in the Broncos squad have spoken on their reflections of that game, Haas himself hasn’t looked back, preferring to live in the moment, which for him now is nailing his preparations.
“It feels good (to be back into a grand final);” Haas said.
“Obviously it's great and I'm just trying to be present now, enjoy this and enjoy the build-up and try and get our bodies right and now, our preparation.
“I've been asked this a bit already (about the 2023 loss), but … I'm not really thinking about it.
“We're a new team and I feel like that's in ’23. We're a new team now and we're just focused on the present and focusing on our own preparation.
“We know if we get our game on, we'll get it done.”
Haas comes into the decider off the back of an astonishing performance which has been lauded as one of the best ever from a front rower, playing a full 80 minutes to produce 182 run metres, 82 post-contact metres, four tackle breaks and 46 tackles.
While the stats tell much of the story, off the ball he stood up as well, being the first to run to put pressure Cleary as he attempted to set up for a two-point field goal in an effort to draw scores level at 16-16 in the closing minutes, in a game Brisbane won 16-14.
Nathan Cleary heaps praise on herculean Haas
Now one win away from achieving his ultimate goal of a premiership title, once again, Haas was careful not to be thinking too far ahead and also dismissed his side’s recent success against the Storm.
“We spoke about last week as well (not thinking too far ahead),” Haas said.
“Heading into Penrith, I think I was enjoying it and enjoying the challenge and just enjoying it together and worrying about our preparation. And when Sunday comes around, we'll worry about them.

“(Last time we beat Melbourne) they didn't have Harry Grant, so I'm not going to really look too much into (that result).
“We have great battles and they're always up for this game and we are too and we know the rivalry we have.
“It's a great challenge and we love versing them.
“I think that's the same this week and (for us to) not to get carried away in all of this and keep the main thing the main thing and that’s winning the grand final.”
Match: Storm v Broncos
Grand Final -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL