Payne Haas was cleared of serious injury and finally delivered a sliver of good news for NSW coach Michael Maguire as coach Anthony Seibold blasted a game-changing decision “as one of the softest penalties ever” in a Magic Round cliffhanger.
Haas, who will be the first name on the Blues team sheet when it comes to forwards, was assisted from the field with what looked like a serious leg injury in the second half, adding to NSW’s growing headaches after injuries to Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Murray and Mitchell Moses.
But only minutes later, the Broncos enforcer returned to the field and finished the match as back-up halfback Jock Madden kicked Brisbane to a 13-12 win.
Asked about Haas’ injury, coach Kevin Walters said: “He’s fine. He got a knee to a calf which triggered a nerve problem in his big toe. He’s right now. He’s still limping and not right, but he should be right for next week, which is gold for us.”