Tevita Pangai Jr is set to don Broncos colours in 2024 to complete a shock return to the NRL.
According to The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel, Pangai Jr has held talks with Broncos powerbrokers about a potential return to the NRL only six months after he walked away from a $750,000 a year contract with the Bulldogs.
Pangai Jr cited his desire to chase a professional boxing career as the reason behind retiring from rugby league at the end of the 2023 season, however the 27-year-old believes he can juggle both.
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Pangai Jr, who is unbeaten from three professional fights, will have his next bout in March but reportedly wishes to sign with the Broncos in the second half of the season.
The NSW Origin representative, who debuted with the Broncos in 2016 and played nearly 100 games for the club before being let go in 2021, is back living in Brisbane and was seen at Broncos training last week, beginning the speculation that he was angling for an NRL return.
He’s close friends with Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, with Carrigan stating he’d love to see Tevita “back at the Broncos”.
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“There’s a bit of noise around Tevita,” Carrigan said.
“He’s just moved back to Brissy and training down at Logan.
“We are close, Tevita, myself and Payne (Haas). I’d love to see him back at the Broncos.
“He retired and I think he’s enjoying his challenges with boxing, but we’ll see what happens.”
Brisbane have a couple of voids in the forward pack after Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia all left the club in free agency.
A player of Pangai Jr’s ilk would be well received this season as the Broncos attempt to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to Penrith in the 2023 grand final.
While he was rewarded with a maiden Blues jersey in Game I last year after a hot start to the season, Pangai Jr’s play tapered off noticeably for the Bulldogs as the season wore on.
The fact he wasn’t all that comfortable in Sydney could be a reason for that, but now he’s back in his preferred Brisbane could bring out the best of Pangai Jr.
The 27-year-old says he believes he could play NRL for another five years all the while forging a career as a boxer, much like Paul Gallen did.
