A bitter split: How the messy Broncos saga fractured iconic rugby ties
In a revealing interview, Darren Lockyer, a rugby legend, has shared the impact of his role in the controversial departures of Wayne Bennett and Kevin Walters from the Broncos. The fallout has left an indelible mark on his relationships with these club icons.
Lockyer, with a career spanning 355 games for the Broncos, joined the board in 2013. This move led to a series of events that culminated in the sacking of Bennett as coach in 2018 and Walters' exit after the 2024 season. Bennett's second stint as coach saw Brisbane reach the 2015 NRL Grand Final, only to suffer a devastating golden point defeat to the Cowboys. The aftermath was tumultuous, with Bennett officially dismissed in December 2018 after a bitter dispute with club officials.
Walters' departure was equally challenging. He was let go at the end of the 2024 season following a disappointing campaign, which saw the Broncos miss the finals after reaching the grand final the previous year. In an exclusive interview with the Courier Mail, Lockyer admitted that his relationships with Bennett and Walters have been irrevocably altered.
"Wayne and I, and Kevvie and I, will never be the same," Lockyer said. "But we'd like to think we can still respect each other and cherish the good times. It's definitely not what it was, and it probably never will be, given the circumstances."
Lockyer explained the toll of being on the board and making such significant decisions. "You lose some skin in these situations. You don't lose relationships entirely, but they're forever changed. Wayne's departure was particularly challenging because it dragged on for months. There were clashes and games being played out, which was messy and distracting for the club."
Regarding Walters' exit, Lockyer said, "It was the hardest decision because he almost won a premiership just a year before. Our relationship had been strained for years, and when Anthony Seibold got the coaching job, Kevvie missed out."
Lockyer remains deeply involved in rugby league. Last year, he led an ownership group that successfully acquired the London Broncos, signing players like Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Dean Hawkins to expand rugby league's reach in the UK beyond northern England.
The rugby league world was further rocked this week by Payne Haas' decision to leave the Broncos and join the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Haas, a superstar prop, won a record sixth Paul Morgan Medal last year, surpassing Allan Langer as the only Bronco to achieve this feat. Lockyer believes Haas sought a career reset after helping the Broncos rise from the wooden spoon in 2020 to premiership winners in 2025.
"I wasn't shocked because he'd explored other options over time. What did surprise me was his choice of Souths. We discussed his options in the boardroom, and R360 and other clubs were mentioned, but never Souths."
Lockyer believes Pat Carrigan and Xavier Willison can step up to fill the void left by Haas, and the Broncos may sign another forward. Kevin Walters, in an interview with the Inside Ball podcast, expressed that he would have fought to keep Haas if he were still the Broncos' coach.
"If I were coaching in the NRL, he'd be one of my top targets. Hats off to Wayne Bennett. He's landed a gem, and it's great news for Souths fans. You don't let Payne Haas go. He's the world's best prop, and anyone who argues otherwise doesn't know rugby league. It's puzzling why he left. I don't think it was about money, so what was the reason?"
Haas has cited family reasons for his decision to leave the Broncos, and he has denied rumors of a fallout with coach Michael Maguire over training standards. The Broncos have also denied reports that they offered Haas a lowball contract, with South Sydney believed to have signed him for over $1 million per season.
Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita are thought to have played a key role in Haas' move to the Rabbitohs. Some interpret this move as an act of revenge by Bennett against the Broncos for his sacking in 2018. There is speculation that Haas' contract includes a get-out clause if Bennett were to leave the Rabbitohs during his tenure.
"It was never about the money. No amount of money would have changed the outcome. The primary reason is Wayne Bennett. He started Payne's NRL career and remained a mentor throughout."
Bennett, now 76, is a leading candidate to become Papua New Guinea's inaugural coach, a role that remains unfilled. He has a remarkable record, winning six premierships with the Broncos, one with the Dragons, and taking the Rabbitohs to the 2021 Grand Final during his first stint with the club.
The complex dynamics within the rugby league world continue to unfold, leaving fans and players alike with questions and a sense of intrigue.
