Speculation has circled Bennett’s future, given his contract ends in 2027, with Haas confirming his three-year deal was to two locked-in years, with an option in his favour to explore options beyond that.
“I’ve got two years there and a one-year player option, so I can address it like that, if you want,” Haas said with a laugh, when asked if his future at the Rabbitohs was tied to Bennett.
“My brother [Chace] was a quadriplegic and disabled, and he had a son who was disabled and that’s how we sort of connected. Our relationship started from that, and he’s someone I trust.”
During his NRL career, Haas’ name has never been far from the headlines.
His mother Joan Taufua remains in prison following a car crash that killed three people, while his father Gregor was arrested in the Philippines over alleged drug offences in Indonesia. It was reported this month a judge had ordered Gregor’s immediate release.
Haas said he had spoken to his parents recently, as he divulged how he handled his whole family, given their complicated situation.
Xavier Willison will be in line to fill Haas’ vacated position.Credit: Getty Images
“My partner and I are leaders of our family, and we want to protect them and let them live a good life. There’s so much noise outside about our family, but as long as internally we’re all right then we’re good,” Haas said.
“I’ve spoken to my mum and dad a couple of times, and they’re in good spirits, so as long as they’re like that then it’s all good. A few things are going on over there in the Philippines [with his father], but god willing, we’ll see what happens and hopefully, he gets over.”
While Haas stressed his focus was on finishing his time with the Broncos on a high, he declared the club would be in “good hands” given the rise of Kiwi prop Xavier Willison, and the potential recruitment of Warriors enforcer Mitch Barnett.
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The New Zealand outfit confirmed Barnett would be released at the end of 2026 on compassionate grounds to be closer to family in Taree.
The door would also open for Willison to fulfil his preseason pledge to become a regular starter for the Broncos, fresh off his Test debut for New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships.
Willison, 23, produced a breakout campaign last year en route to the premiership, and fellow Brisbane forward Jack Gosiewski believed he would be ready to assume Haas’ mantle.
“He’s a superstar, he’s still very young, and I think he hasn’t even fully grown into his body yet. He’s got massive potential, and I think when he fully grows out in the next few years he could be a really dangerous player,” Gosiewski said.
“I believe he already is – he’s big, strong, powerful and unbelievably fit, so he’s got a massive future ahead of him.”
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