The advice to boom Brisbane prop Payne Haas has been simple since his remarkable NRL debut - don't read any newspapers.
Coach Wayne Bennett admitted the 19-year-old Haas faced his biggest challenge yet dealing with the hype after sparking a State of Origin tug-of-war with last week's 21-minute cameo off the bench.
NSW were quick to claim Newcastle-born, Gold Coast-bred Haas after the 194cm, 119kg rookie bullied South Sydney's pack in Brisbane's last-round win.
He made 86m and 13 tackles in his brief but memorable stint.
"You're seeing the birth of a superstar," Nine Network commentator Phil Gould said.
Apart from sparking Origin interest from both sides of the Tweed, Haas is also expected to have most NRL clubs queuing up next year when the teenager is off contract.
Asked what advice he would give Haas, Bennett said: "Make sure he doesn't read what you guys write.
"That is the big challenge now.
"On debut, he was what we hoped he could be but it's the start of a long career for him now.
"The challenge is to keep doing it."
Bennett had resisted temptation and stalled Haas' much-anticipated NRL debut until the round-eight clash with the Rabbitohs to continue his development.
And Bennett was expected to send the youngster back to Queensland Cup in coming weeks to help further hone his craft.
But the Broncos' coach said there would be no plan to give Haas a NRL break, despite their forward depth tested by injuries to Test and Queensland representatives Matt Gillett (neck) and Josh McGuire (ankle).
"I have no plans with Payne right now," Bennett said.
"We have two of our top forwards injured. We have got some back-up there.
"If they are back in six or eight weeks and we are injury-free, then I will make another decision (about Haas) but, right now, it's week by week."
At just 16, Haas attracted the interest of 10 NRL clubs and several American colleges offering football scholarships, before signing for the Broncos on a three-year deal until 2019 after a chat with Bennett.
Haas - from Gold Coast nursery Keebra Park State High - raised eyebrows when he was used last year as an "Andrew Fifita clone" in a Queensland State of Origin opposed session.
But NSWRL boss Dave Trodden was quick to point out after Haas' Brisbane debut that the teenager was "definitely" a Blue after pledging his loyalty and captaining their under-18s side last year.
Share
