The Brisbane Broncos' injury woes deepened on Monday when it was confirmed that Payne Haas, one of the NRL's premier front-rowers, will miss six to eight weeks of football — a timeline that rules him out of at least the opening game of the 2026 State of Origin series.
Haas's absence represents a major blow for NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire, who will now need to look elsewhere for front-row firepower ahead of next month's series opener. The powerful prop has been a cornerstone of both Brisbane's attack and New South Wales's representative ambitions in recent seasons.
Compounding the Broncos' difficulties, the club confirmed that prop Corey Jensen has been hospitalised after being diagnosed with a blood clot. The severity and exact nature of Jensen's condition has not been fully disclosed, though the club indicated he remains under medical care. Blood clots can vary significantly in seriousness, and the Broncos are understood to be monitoring his condition closely.
The dual setbacks leave Brisbane's forward pack stretched heading into a critical stretch of the NRL season. The Broncos had already been managing a number of injuries across the squad, and the loss of two props simultaneously places considerable pressure on the club's depth in the front row.
For NSW selectors, the timing of Haas's injury is particularly difficult. State of Origin remains the pinnacle of rugby league, and front-row dominance has historically been a key determinant in series outcomes. Blues selectors will now assess alternatives from across the competition.
No timeframe has been given for Jensen's return to play, with his recovery dependent on medical outcomes rather than standard injury rehabilitation protocols.