Payne Haas responds amid 'concerning' new reports about Reece Walsh out of Brisbane Broncos

Broncos prop Payne Haas has confirmed reports about Reece Walsh but poured cold water on concerns around the fitness of the star fullback, insisting the he has come back to pre-season training fitter than he's ever seen him before. Walsh found himself at the centre of a worrying development this week after it emerged that he was one of several players lagging behind teammates during a pre-season fitness test.

New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been overseeing some tough sessions at Red Hill - often in oppressive Brisbane heat - aimed at getting the squad as fit as possible ahead of the new NRL season. But according to sports reporter Ted Roker of Channel 10 in Brisbane, Walsh - as well as teammates Selwyn Cobbo and Martin Taupau - were languishing at the back of the pack during Monday's fitness test.

Roker, who attended the training session at Red Hill, reported that Jordan Riki led the way in his first session back at the club after international duty with New Zealand. But his report was less flattering for Walsh, Cobbo and veteran front-rower Taupau, who appeared to be some way behind the fitness of the rest of the squad.

The same report indicated that Jock Madden and Billy Walters were near the front of the pack, even though Madden has reportedly been told he's free to look elsewhere due to the club's signing of Ben Hunt. Walters' future could also be up in the air after the sacking of his father Kevin as coach and the signing of Ben Hunt, who would be expected to move into his position at hooker when Ezra Mam is available.

The revelation about Walsh's fitness comes as a surprise though after teammate Jesse Arthars revealed last week that the fullback and Haas had been leading the way for the squad in pre-season training. But Haas said there was nothing for fans to be worried about when it comes to Walsh, as the livewire fullback looks to put a disappointing 2024 behind him and return to his best next season.

Payne Haas defends Reece Walsh amid fitness concerns

However Haas did confirm that Walsh was at the back of the pack on Monday. "To be honest, Walshy is probably the fittest he's come back and pre-season is tough so all the boys are having a red-hot crack and they're going well," he told 10 News. The prop said the Broncos squad had embraced the hard-nosed approach from their new coach and suggested it was far too early in pre-season to be concerned about the contrasting fitness levels of the players.

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Maguire has been brought in to improve the standards at the club after a season to forget in 2024 where the Broncos finished 12th and missed the playoffs after making the grand final the year before. Defence and errors were two major areas of concern for Brisbane last season and the attitude of the playing group was frequently called into question - something Maguire will be keen to address.

And Haas - who has already been coached by Maguire at State of Origin level for the Blues - says the squad has really bought into the new coach's mantra around work ethic and accountability. "We are a young group and just being men about being honest and up front to each other. That's what we are taking away this pre-season and all the boys are buying in and having a red-hot crack," Haas said.

"I know what Madge (Maguire) is about, especially having him in Origin. I know what he brings and what he expects of us players which has made it easier to transition. I've gone through three coaches now so I am used to it all... "Just being consistent. We started off all right (in 2024) but dropped off at the end and through the Origin period. It is a mental game footy. When our bodies are sore we have to keep on turning up each week."

with AAP