Broncos prop Haas out of Panthers clash

The Broncos will be without Payne Haas for the grand-final rematch with the Panthers after the powerful prop succumbed to a knee injury.

Haas joins captain Adam Reynolds (medial collateral ligament) on the sidelines for Thursday night’s clash in Penrith.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters had named Haas in the hope the player would get through Wednesday’s captain’s run with no ill-effects.

But the representative front-rower stayed in the rehab group and Walters said the club would err on the side of caution after Haas’s knee flared up.

Roosters recruit Fletcher Baker will make his starting debut for the Broncos and rookie prop Xavier Willison will come into the 17.

“Payne won’t be playing,” Walters said.

“He still has some problems with his knee so we will get the doctor to look at it and see how we go.

“We always have our players’ welfare first and foremost.

“We will start Fletcher Baker. Xavier Willison comes into the 17 and he is a terrific prospect.

“No one likes missing games and Payne is very competitive.

“He feels he is letting the team down but he’s not. We will get his knee looked at properly and see what the issue is.

“He didn’t feel 100 per cent today. He is a key player for us so we will play him when he is fit.”

Walters said Haas would have further scans on his knee and consult a specialist to determine if he needed an extended period on the sidelines.