Payne Haas adopts Muslim name Hakeem Haas days after signing with South Sydney

Days after Payne Haas’ bombshell announcement that he was defecting to Souths, the world’s number one prop has adopted a Muslim moniker.

Haas, who converted to Islam at age 19, has changed his name on social media to Hakeem Haas.

The now 26-year-old father, who also cares for his two siblings with both his parents behind bars, has been mentored by fellow sporting great and Muslim convert Sonny Williams.

The name change has not been made legally but is the name he uses when he attends Muslim events, it is being reported.

Payne has shunned the media as the Broncos, still reeling from his shock move, try to prepare for next week’s World Cup Challenge against Hull KR in the UK.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire is refusing to talk about the move after speculation Haas agreed to join the Rabbitohs under Wayne Bennett because Haas did not agree with Maguire’s hard-edged training practices.

The Rabbitohs announced Haas signed a three-year, $3.6 million, deal on Sunday, and there is a 10-day cooling off period during which he can opt out.

“I’ll try and twist his arm, but it is what it is,” Broncos skipper Reynolds said on Monday.

“We have to focus on getting over to England now and getting the job done. I’m sure the boys have been into him, trying to get him obviously to stay at the club.”

Reynolds, who played 10 seasons with the Rabbitohs before joining Brisbane, was as shocked as the rest of the rugby league world by the Haas news.

“No, I didn’t see it coming. I haven’t really sat down and spoken to Payne,” Reynolds said.

“You respect everyone’s decisions. I don’t know the exact reasoning, but I know he is fully committed to this year, as I will be.

“He messaged through on WhatsApp to let the boys know he’d be moving to South Sydney at the end of the season.

“Obviously, news breaks pretty quick in our game, and it’s pretty hard to sit down in front of a group over a weekend when we’re not training.”

Reynolds said Haas was totally committed to helping the Broncos go back-to-back.

“We love everything about Payno and what he’s done for this club. He’s a huge reason why we got success, but we’re focusing on the now,” Reynolds said.

“He’s not gone yet and is fully committed to the club this year and will do everything possible to make sure we reach the heights that we did last year.”

Meanwhile, Reynolds was quick to quash suggestions that Haas’s exit had anything to do with a falling-out with coach Maguire.

Haas has spoken at length in the past about why he has thrived under Maguire’s tutelage.

“It is just rumours,” Reynolds said.

“It’s easy and an obvious one to speculate on, but we’re a tight group. We wouldn’t have reached the heights we did last year if the boys were off ‘Madge’.

“He’s come here and done a fantastic job. We’ve reached the heights and it’s about believing in the systems and making sure we do it a little bit better than we did last year and anything’s possible.”

Broncos lock Pat Carrigan said he respected Haas’s decision and added that his exit would open up opportunities for the likes of young guns Xavier Willison and Ben Te Kura to step up.

“As a mate who’s come into the game and played with him since we were 18 years old ... I’ll be always supportive of him (Haas),” Carrigan said.

“Our relationship will always stretch long and far beyond these bright lights.

“I’m really excited that we get to finish this year.

“One door closes and another one opens, and there’s some really good young kids that have had the opportunity to learn off Payne. I know they’ll want to grab it with both hands.”