Fast healing powers of Payne Haas gives Broncos finals boost

Brisbane prop Payne Haas has recovered from a serious foot injury to play against the Dolphins in yet another example of his superhuman powers of recovery.

The 25-year-old sustained a Lisfranc injury in the round-21 loss to Gold Coast and was not expected back until the final-round clash with Melbourne at the earliest.

With the Broncos needing wins in their last two games to play finals, Haas got through captain’s run on Friday and will take his place in the side at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

“To get himself back in that short period and to be fit and ready to go, it really does show the class and the professionalism of Payne,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

“He’s a world class prop and he’ll bring that tomorrow night to us which gives everyone a lot of confidence.”

There was talk around training earlier in the week that Haas may be eased back from the bench.

“You don’t bring Payne Haas off the bench,” Walters said.

Haas’s younger brother Klese, who plays for the Titans, told AAP last year about his sibling’s remarkable will and ability to defy sickness and injury.

“I remember when Payne was still in bed sick on the day of a big final for Keebra Park High. He was flat on his back but he dragged himself up, played and was man of the match,” he said.

“That was always an inspiration to me, just how would do anything for his team.”

Legendary schoolboy coach Glen Campbell was in charge of Keebra Park High at the time.

“Payne has always had an amazing recovery ability and ticks every box to make it happen,” Campbell told AAP.

“He has done this many times in the past where it looks like he’s down and the next thing he is all good. It is not smoke and mirrors or trying to be smart.

“There were times with us that we thought we’d lost him and next thing he’s there and giving 100 per cent. You worry at schoolboy level that they make a full recovery but it is just the way treats his body and his application that gets that incredible response.

“That Payne is playing against the Dolphins does not surprise me at all.”

Campbell was also not surprised Haas was slated by Walters to start. He wouldn’t raise an eyebrow if he played 80 minutes given his history of feats of strength.

“Payne has incredible cardiovascular capacity. His grandfather is of Swiss heritage and there is a history of high altitude skiing,” Campbell said.

“That VO2 max (cardiorespiratory fitness) is ultimately passed down through the generations. Payne won district level 800m races but couldn’t go the next level because we had semi-finals coming up. He won the shot put as well.

“Athletically speaking Payne performs like an outside back with the body of a front-row forward.”