NSW Origin star Payne Haas opens up about how his tough childhood prepared him for his mum's manslaughter drama and his dad possibly facing a firing squad

NSW Origin star Payne Haas says that his tough childhood has prepared him to deal with life's challenges - including the incredible personal turmoil surrounding his parents.

Brisbane's superstar prop will play again for the Blues on Wednesday night at the MCG, hoping to play a big role in levelling the series for the Blues at 1-1.

At only 24, Haas has had a lot on his plate with his father Gregor arrested in May on drug trafficking charges so serious he could be hit with the death penalty if found guilty in an Indonesian court.

On top of that, his mum Joan Taufua is in jail facing manslaughter charges after three people died in a car accident involving a vehicle she was driving in 2022.

Haas's priority during tough times has always been his two younger school-age brothers, who live with him, and his daughter.

It's why on-field struggles don't bother the formidable forward.

'Everyone can have an opinion but I've got pretty tough skin,' he told News Corp.

'That comes from my upbringing. I had to grow up around a lot of things and I've just grown thick skin.

'You had to be where I grew up. I've had to take things on the chin and not let it rattle me.

'I'm not emotionless but I feel my parents (Joan Taufua and Gregor Haas) were (hardened) and that's what I fed off.

'Most of my brothers, we are pretty hard people, they get it from my mum, to be honest.

'You have to have thick skin and be mentally tough, given what I was surrounded by.

'I've learned that if you come in and try to prove people wrong then that's where it goes wrong for you. I learned that from a young age.

'If you try to prove people wrong or prove them right, it just never works out for you. I've got good people in my life for that kind of stuff.'

The four-time Dally M Prop of the Year has become a walk-up starter for the Blues in recent years, but it's not an arena he has truly excelled in yet.

'I wouldn't say I have nailed Origin, yet,' Haas said.

'I feel I play my Origin games a bit differently to club land. Origin is a way different game to club football, it's about the little effort areas, all the little things people don't see on TV.

'It's the one thing I learned in Origin, it can't always be about attack. You have to do that little stuff; kick pressure, kick chase. There's a lot more in Origin than NRL footy, it's a whole different game.

'I want to keep doing what's right for the team. I'm not worried about my own individual performance.'

NSW must win game two in Melbourne to keep the series alive - with the Blues last lifting the interstate trophy in 2021.