The head coach of Brisbane Broncos Kevin Walters hasn’t dismissed the possibility of handing Tevita Pangai Jr an NRL lifeline later this season.
Pangai sensationally quit the rugby league last year to take up boxing full-time, having struggled for form and motivation at the Bulldogs and following a lacklustre State of Origin debut.
But he reappeared this season at Broncos training sessions, before making a quiet return to football with Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup.
On Wednesday the 28-year-old revealed on radio he was interested in pursuing an opportunity with Melbourne if it came up.
The following day, Walters was quizzed as to why Brisbane has not offered Pangai a deal.
“I don’t want to talk about Tevita too much, but we obviously know where he is,” Walters said.
“He’s obviously still got his boxing career happening at the moment, and also our salary cap… we can’t afford him right now. We have to wait for a few more weeks.
“We’ll wait and see, we are always open here for players coming in that can add value to our group.
“If we believe at the right time that Tevita can do that, we will certainly look at it.”
NRL clubs are able to call on lower-grade players in the second half of the season if the need arises.
With the Broncos missing several stars already through injury, and with the Origin period to take more players away, Brisbane may need to plug some holes.
It would also mean the club’s salary cap wouldn’t be bent out of shape by bringing Pangai back into the fold.
Pangai began his NRL career at the Broncos and played 96 games before being shown the door.
Tevita Pangai Junior has detailed where his future in NRL lies amid talk of a potential return with either the Broncos or Dolphins.
While he spent a brief period in retirement and has dabbled in boxing, Walters believes the aggressive forward still has plenty to offer in rugby league.
“We are all aware of his talents, and maybe the boxing career has been good for him,” Walters said.
“It’s certainly an individual sport and it makes you realise you’re out there by yourself in the ring… whereas rugby league is more a team environment.
“You’ve got to do things sometimes that you don’t want to do to help your teammate out.
“Maybe it’s opened up some light there for him, but he’s certainly got great ability as a footballer.
“While he’s still ready and available, he wants to play in the NRL, so I’m sure there would be plenty of clubs chasing him.”
