Payne Haas was initially expected to be out of action for four months after undergoing foot surgery in September, but has thrown off his moon boot to be back for Brisbane's first pre-season training session.
Haas's manager Ahmad Merhi said his client was "a freak of nature", and it is hard to argue with that assessment. He showed on Monday just how much he wants to lead a Broncos revival under new coach Michael Maguire after an underwhelming 12th-place finish in 2024.
The Test and NSW prop is well known for his attention to detail off the field. The 24-year-old began his rehab from a Lisfranc injury the day after surgery and made such early progress that the Broncos were expecting him back in late November.
Haas blew that timeline out of the water and impressed his former NSW coach.
"We know what Payne is capable of as a footballer, but it is nice to see a senior player here early and around the players," Maguire said.
"He is not (officially) here for another couple of weeks, but he was walking water bottles around and (training) with the players. I think that is a good sign for the camaraderie that is in the group.
"Payne is in good shape. He is coming off the old injury, but it is nice to see him out on the field. He is looking in great nick."
Haas has left no stone unturned in his quest to get in a full pre-season.
"Payne started training the day after he came out of hospital," Merhi told AAP.
"During his time off he headed down to the club gym on his own and did his body weights every day when everyone was on holidays.
"If his (moon) boot has come off that's great. It has been a very quick recovery because his boot was on when I saw him last week.
"Payne gets the business done without talk. Nothing surprises me. He is a freak of nature."
The five-time Broncos player of the year trained unencumbered on Monday in searing heat under a mentor for whom he shone in the State of Origin arena in 2024 in a 2-1 series win.
"When I spoke to Payne about his feedback on Maguire he said to me, 'from my dealings with him he calls a spade a spade'," Merhi said.
"He definitely enjoyed his time (in Blues camp) under him and especially winning a series."
The new Broncos coach has been in dialogue with Haas since his arrival at the club last month and reciprocated that admiration.
"I’ve been chatting with Payne for the last couple of weeks. My time with Payne in the Origin and the experiences we had is something I really enjoyed," he said.
Maguire's arrival has coincided with the re-signing of veteran prop Martin Taupau for 2025 and extensions for fullback Reece Walsh, until the end of 2029, along with 22-year-old front-rower Xavier Willison, through to 2027.
"That’s a real positive for us. Xavier is a real up-and-comer," Maguire said.
"He is only young too, so I am looking forward to his growth, just like I am looking forward to working with Reece.
"I have been here for a few days and you can see what the club means to a lot of the players. We need to make sure now that we do the hard work in the pre-season."
