Payne and his main men pass the character test in style

Men of good character. Leaders of men. Family men.

All have been central themes behind Payne Haas' stunning move from Red Hill to the red and green in 2027.

Addressing the media in Brisbane on Wednesday, the game's premier prop spoke passionately of his desire to do what was right for his family, and the role Wayne Bennett and Ahmad Merhi had played in the life-changing call.

It was supercoach Bennett who handed Haas his NRL debut back in 2018 and will again be his mentor at the Rabbitohs in 2027. And Merhi is the manager whom Haas describes as "like a second dad to me".

Then there's fellow forward leader Pat Carrigan, who has shared a special bond and a premiership with Haas.

Throw in Blues Origin teammate Mitch Barnett, touted as possible replacement for Haas at the Broncos having been granted a release by the Warriors to return to Australia next year, and hailed as "a great leader and a strong voice" by Haas.

Men of good characters. Leaders of men. Family men.

"As a leader and a dad and a partner I had to take a lead and make that decision and move back down to Sydney and be closer to my family," Haas said.

"My partner and I are leaders for our family and we just want to protect them and let them live a good life.

"There's so much noise about the family so it's about protecting them and making sure they are all right

"I’m content with the decision."

Another man undoubtedly content with the decision is Bennett, who is putting together a star-studded roster capable of challenging for the club's 22nd premiership in coming years.

"It wouldn't have been that easy (to make the move) if I didn't have Wayne there," Haas said.

"I would have looked at other options if he wasn’t there. He gave me my debut as well.

"We have a connection and relationship already, especially off the field. My brother was quadriplegic and disabled and he had a son who was disabled and that's how we connected and he is someone I can lean on and trust."

As the champagne corks popped in Rabbitohs territory, Haas had the difficult task of breaking the news to his Broncos brotherhood, with Carrigan proving the toughest conversation.

The pair played their first NRL game together in Round 5, 2019 against Wests Tigers and shared many memorable moments over seven seasons in the engine room, culminating in last year's grand win where they combined for 29 hit-ups, 25 run metres and 70 tackles.

"Patty and I are pretty close, he has been like my brother since we started," Haas said.

"He is a great man and he understood my decision and he respected that."

As the premiers look to regroup after their World Club Challenge loss to Hull KR, Haas is adamant the 30-24 defeat was "a blessing for us".

"We went over there to do a job and we missed out on a big opportunity but we have dusted it and we are ready for Round 1 now against Penrith," Haas said.

"We know teams are going to come out hard to play us and we have to have that hunter’s mentality, not being the hunted.

"That's what we spoke about in the meetings and that's what we'll be going in with against the Panthers."