Sonny Bill Williams detail comes to light amid $3.3m Payne Haas saga at Broncos

Payne Haas has revealed he's been leaning on mentor Sonny Bill Williams for advice amid a contract saga at the Brisbane Broncos. Haas is reportedly set to reject a $3.3 million contract extension from the Broncos and hit the open market on November 1.

Last week, Broncos coach Kevin Walters said Haas was on the verge of re-signing - comments that took Haas and his management by complete surprise. Haas' manager Ahmad Merhi previously said his client would wait until November 1 and test the market before making any commitment.

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Merhi put out a statement on Monday night that said: "I have a wonderful relationship with (Brisbane coach) Kevvie (Walters). We have always been hopeful of a good outcome with the Broncos and we are still in dialogue."

Merhi said all 16 other NRL clubs had expressed interest in meeting with Haas, while Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he'd definitely be interested in trying to lure the State of Origin prop. The Bulldogs are reportedly willing to offer Haas as much as $1.4 million per season.

Haas faced the media on Tuesday for the first time since his manager announced he was going to market, and was non-committal when asked about his future. But he revealed the role that Williams is playing in the situation.

"Sonny is real good. He always reaches out to me. I'm going through some stuff and he has always ... made sure I am all good and given me some advice," Haas said. "He is pretty special to me Sonny. We are pretty close. He is good to have around me."

Williams has experience in dealing with tricky decisions regarding contracts and his playing future. He infamously walked out on the Bulldogs in 2008, with the club taking him to the Supreme Court in a landmark move that changed how playing contracts are signed.

Williams flew to France in the middle of the 2008 season to play rugby union for Toulon, despite still being contracted to the Bulldogs. Toulon would later pay the Bulldogs $750,000 for the transfer fee, with Williams returning to the NRL in 2013 to play for the Roosters.

Payne Haas denies contract speculation is a distraction

Speaking on Tuesday, Haas said he was still on good terms with the Broncos. "I am in a dialogue with the Broncs at the moment. I have got a good relationship with Kevin and Broncs," he said.

"We both know where we are at and understand what we want. I am not going to say much more than that. I'll just focus on the game this week and celebrate the milestone."

Haas' decision to hit the open market is reportedly around his desire to win a premiership - a seemingly confusing move considering the Broncos are right in the hunt to win the minor premiership. Haas said the current Broncos forward pack was "easily" the best he's ever played in.

"We all came up together ... me, Fleg (Thomas Flegler), Patty (Carrigan) and we are all pretty close off the field as well," Haas said. "That mateship shows with our footy. It is pretty special here and something you don't want to lose.

"We can do something pretty special. Having this kind of forward pack is pretty cool. You want to win premierships. You don't want to be out of finals."

The 23-year-old will play his 100th game on Friday night against Parramatta. He said speculation about his future was not worrying him.

"It has been easy with these boys here and coaches. I am just coming in to training and doing what I love," he said. "I am letting all that other stuff go with the people I trust."

with AAP

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