Haas looking to top Game One heroics in Perth

After a Player of the Match effort under an injury cloud in Game One, the idea of Payne Haas entering Perth’s Optus Stadium with an uninterrupted camp under his belt presents a daunting task for anyone standing in his way with the chance to win the series next Wednesday night.

In 58 minutes and barely a training session in the lead-up, the Westpac NSW Blues prop recorded 156 run metres with 61 post-contact from 18 carries, three offloads, 30 tackles without a miss, no errors and had a hand in the opening try to help his side to an 18-6 win. It was arguably his best performance to date in a NSW jersey.

Now Haas, 25, is ready to hit the ground running ahead of his 16th appearance for the Blues, when he is set to tie with Paul Harragon and sit only behind Steve Roach (17) and Glenn Lazarus (19) for NSW Origin games played at prop.

“Yeah, I feel way better than that first camp,” he said.

“So just excited to be able to train with the boys all week.

“I didn’t really get to train with them last camp so I’m excited to be out there, to be honest.”

With a vastly improved preparation it can only lead fans to anticipate if the explosive forward can go up a gear for Game Two on 18 June, and there’s no one more confident in his potential to reach a new level than the man himself.

“We’ll see what happens.” Haas said.

“I’ve just got to do my job again and just try to get the win – that’s all that matters.

“I’ve got belief in myself, I know I’ve put in the work.

“I know I can do a job.”

But looking forward to next week’s clash and having been 1-0 down after Game One last year, Haas is well aware of what to expect from a desperate Queensland side.

“They always bounce back well and we know they’re gonna be on in Perth,” he explained.

“We’ve got to go up a notch, and they’re gonna go up a notch as well.”