Retired NRL star Tevita Pangai Jr snapped at Brisbane Broncos training

Former Broncos and Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Jr has been spotted at Brisbane training, fuelling speculation he could be considering a return to the NRL. SEE THE PICTURES

TPJ at Broncos training.

Former Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr has made a surprise appearance at Brisbane training, fuelling speculation he could be considering a return to the NRL.

Pangai Jr was spotted on the sidelines at Brisbane’s Red Hill headquarters on Tuesday morning, watching the Broncos sweat it out on a searing summer’s day.

Pangai Jr made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2016 and played 96 games for the club before being released by coach Kevin Walters in 2021.

He joined the Bulldogs in 2022 following a brief cameo with Penrith, but made the shock decision to walk away from the NRL last year, aged 27, to pursue a career in boxing.

Panga Jr recorded a win against Frank Amato in Townsville in October but hasn’t fought since, deciding he needed six months to prepare for his next bout.

His NRL “retirement” came just months after Pangai Jr made his State of Origin debut for NSW and he reportedly walked away from a $750,000 contract.

Tevita Pangai Jr was a keen observer at Broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Upon walking away, Pangai Jr claimed he lost his passion for rugby league and was pressured into playing the game as a child.

Despite retiring from the NRL, Pangai Jr has been repeatedly linked with a return to league, especially after Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said he would welcome his former protégé at Redcliffe.

Pangai Jr has so far resisted a return to the NRL and is preparing for his next fight in the coming months.

Patrick Carrigan. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Payne Haas. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

He politely declined an interview request from this masthead on Tuesday, insisting he was only accompanying family and friends to introduce them to Broncos players after training.

There is no suggestion the Broncos are looking to sign Pangai Jr, who remains close to a number of Brisbane players, including Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.

He spent the Christmas break training with the supremely fit Haas and is on the verge of announcing plans for his next fight.

But at his age, a return to the NRL may not be completely off the cards if boxing doesn’t work out.

Originally published as Retired NRL star Tevita Pangai Jr snapped at Brisbane Broncos training