New Zealand Between 2006 and 2007 Payne played for
Waikato, and from 2008 until 2011 played for
Northland, whom he captained from 2009 til 2011. Payne debuted with the
Waikato Chiefs in 2007, however his game time was limited and he was not re-signed for the 2008 season. In 2009, Payne was signed by the
Crusaders, for whom he made 22 appearances in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In 2010 it was announced the
Blues had signed him for the 2011 Super Rugby season.
Ulster Rugby In 2011, Payne signed with
Ulster, making his Ulster debut on 16 September against the
Cardiff Blues, where he made a solid start for his new team. Payne injured his Achilles tendon in a match against Treviso in October 2011 keeping him out for the rest of the season. He returned for the start of the 2012/13 season and his flair and dynamic play made him one of Ulster's key playmakers in their run to the Heineken Cup Quarter-Finals and Pro12 Finals. He signed a new contract with Ulster in May 2013, keeping him at Ravenhill until 2016. He signed a new contract with Ulster in May 2016, keeping him at Ravenhill until 2018. Payne was forced to retire in May 2018 due to head injury sustained during the
2017 Lions tour, though Ulster announced him as their new defence coach.
Clermont Auvergne In January 2022 it was announced that Payne would be leaving Ulster at the end of the season, with
Clermont Auvergne announcing he would join as defence coach the following season. In January 2023, Payne took interim charge of Clermont Auvergne following the removal of
Jono Gibbes as head coach. ==International career==