Haas up for challenge of being Storm's 'head on a plate'

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold referred to a bible story when suggesting Melbourne would want Payne Haas's "head on a plate" in Friday night's showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

Haas' burgeoning reputation as one of the game's premier front-rowers will place him square in the sights of Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and the highly-rated Storm forward pack.

The 19-year-old Brisbane prop has run for more than 200 metres in five of his 14 Telstra Premiership games this year, including in each of his last three matches.

Bellamy and the Storm head into the match knowing if they can limit the damage caused by Haas and fellow prop Matt Lodge they will slow the Broncos.

"I'd imagine that Payno will be Melbourne's head on a plate tomorrow night. He has been really good for us the last few weeks so they will put a target on him and test him out," Seibold predicted.

Seibold alluded to the bible's tale of the execution of John the Baptist after a request from King Herod's stepdaughter Salome for his head to be delivered on a platter.  The request was met.

Haas will certainly be tested by a rugged set of Storm middle forwards with Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Dale Finucane to provide the first wave. They will be coming for Haas, so how will he handle it?

"Not a drama for Payne, he is a pretty understated sort of guy," Seibold said.

I think we are all aware of the potential and ability that Payne has got

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold

"He is really looking forward to the challenge. He wasn't in our team for round one when we played them so you have to remember for guys like [Pat] Carrigan and Haas, they want to test themselves against the best, and the Storm are the best.

"They are excited by the opportunity to see where they are at."

Asofa-Solomona is 23, stands at 200cm and weighs in at 115kg. He is a 2017 premiership winner. Haas is 19, a towering 194 cm and weighs 119kg. He is following a similar path to the Melbourne prop.

"I think Payne has been our most consistent player along with Matt Lodge,” Seibold said.

"Nelson is a little bit older and further down his footy journey than what Payno is but I think we are all aware of the potential and ability that Payne has got.

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"I see him [Haas] play his best football when he prepares really well during the week. He's been consistent with his prep so he has been consistent with his game."

Seibold is only too aware of the damage Asofa-Solomona can cause and has a long history with the Kiwi enforcer since his days as a Storm assistant coach.

"I remember in 2013 I went across to Wellington to meet his parents. It was a bye weekend. I had dinner with his parents and he had a lot of interest from rugby union," Seibold recalled.

"I had a fair bit to do with him and his first couple of weeks [at the Storm] he lived with me and my family. 

"He is a terrific young guy and I am just so pleased to see him reach his potential. He is a handful for any opposition team. We need to make sure we have a really good focus on him, Bromwich and Dale Finucane."

While Haas will be a target for the Storm, the Broncos will be on a mission to limit the impact of the Melbourne middle forwards so that Cameron Smith does not have a field day on the back of the momentum they create.

"They are big powerful forwards and create a lot of momentum for Smithy to play off the back of. It is easier said than done but having dual contact on big bodies is really important.

"If you try and come out of the line and make one-on-one contact with them they are going to win those kind of battles," Seibold said.

The Broncos will put veteran forward Matt Gillett through a fitness test on Thursday as he aims to recover from a back complaint. Seibold said he was "long odds" to play. Rookie Xavier Coates is a possible replacement in the centres, which would mean Alex Glenn reverts from centre to the back-row.