Haas hopes for good four-tune in high-stakes Storm clash

“It is a great opportunity heading into finals to have a game like this and playing with a finals feel. I am excited for the challenge," Haas said. 

“(A top-four finish) is crucial. No team’s won the comp outside of the top four, so we know what's at stake this week. It's a big game for us.”

Although in some doubt before the game in Townsville after battling the flu, Haas didn’t let that affect his performance, scoring a try, making a team-high 35 tackles and running for 149 run metres.

Overall, however, the team let themselves down in a number of key areas, earning the ire of coach Michael Maguire at half-time, with cameras capturing his ‘animated’ address to the team. The Broncos finished the game with 17 errors and completion rate of 69 percent, as well as 32 missed tackles.

“I think Madge just cares about our team and he knows what's in us and there was a lot more in us in that first half,” Haas said.

“I felt like we let each other down as a team and let down Madge, so I think it was warranted, to be honest.

“We weren't playing our best footy.

“It shows how much he cares for his team and how much he knows what's in us, so I feel like having someone who cares like that, it's only good.”

The Samoa-pledged prop will need to be at his best if his side are to upset the Storm, like he was the last time they defeated them in the opening week of the finals in 2023 on their way to featuring in the grand final that year.  

Haas said he was counting on the entire forward pack to step up and lay a foundation for the side, who would also be out to improve their defence after playing out a try-for-try battle against North Queensland.

“Not just myself, I feel Patty [Carrigan], Muddy [Corey Jensen], our bench forwards as well … it's important for us to lay that platform,” Haas said.

“If we don't do that then, it won't let Walshy [Reece Walsh] shine or Dozer [Ben Hunt], so we've got to lay that platform and it's on us.

“(Our defence has) been a bit inconsistent and I think last week was a bit frustrating because we don't want to leak that many points, so obviously we'll be looking to make amends for that this week against the Storm and have an 80-minute display in attack and defence.

“Defence will be our focus and always has all year, so I'll be going after that this week.”