Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr cops two-week ban for Cooper Cronk hit

A suspension for star forward Tevita Pangai Jr leaves Brisbane’s forward pack light on experience, and Andrew McCullough says the youthful Broncos need to improve the difference between their good and bad games.

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Andrew McCullough says form is “going to fluctuate” in a young Broncos team who are about to become younger with the inclusion of two more boom forwards this week.

Haas, 19, and Carrigan, 21, will play a fourth NRL game and a debut match, respectively, when Brisbane seek to halt the erosion of their season with a win over Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

The Broncos on Sunday resolved take a guilty plea on Tevita Pangai Jnr’s grade two dangerous contact charge, meaning he will be suspended from matches against Wests Tigers and Canberra.

Pangai was put on report on Thursday night for a late tackle into the back of Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk.

“It’s a young group and it (form) is going to fluctuate,” Broncos hooker McCullough said.

“The difference between our good and bad games can’t be a big difference. It’s something we need to improve on.”

Tevita Pangai Jr will miss two weeks through suspension. Picture: AAP

Haas accepted elevated scrutiny of his football last year when he signed a contract to the end of 2024 worth a reported $3.4 million.

“It comes with the territory. A lot of young blokes come in now with a lot of hype and money is changing with a salary cap increase,” 240-game Bronco McCullough said.

“It’s the nature of the beast that it’s a roller coaster from week to week. You get some hard lessons along the way as a young player. You can be loved after one week and everyone wants you out the back door the following week.

“But you play football to enjoy playing football with your mates and we have to get that enjoyment back.”

Payne Haas will play his first game of the season on Thursday night. Picture: AAP

Jack Bird says senior Broncos have to lead the young Broncos forwards through a sink-or-swim challenge following the team’s third sobering NRL loss this year, a 36-4 caning by Sydney Roosters.

“One hundred per cent — it’s a big thing for us,’’ Bird said.

“Most of them are in the middle and that’s a tough gig in the NRL at such a young age. They will get better with time.’’

Centre James Roberts, who is out with Achilles tendon pain for what the club said last week was an unspecified period, trained away from the Broncos team on Sunday.

Forwards Matt Gillett (leg) and Alex Glenn (head injury assessment) did not train with teammates, but McCullough said he expected them to play.

Matt Gillett did not train with his Broncos teammates on Sunday. Picture: AAP

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold told players their missed-tackle count was a mountainous 56 against the Roosters. The highest number of missed tackles in that count were by Matt Lodge and Kodi Nikorima (seven each), Bird (six), Alex Glenn and Joe Ofahengaue (both five) and Tevita Pangai Jnr and Jaydn Su’A (four each).

Seibold changed the defensive structure of the Broncos to reflect a style he prefers and Lodge and Ofahengaue, like many big men, are finding lateral adjustment a challenge.

“If you miss 50 tackles regardless of technique and the teaching of how you are meant to tackle, it’s never going to help,” McCullough said.

“It’s a simple fix but it can be super slow if we don’t turn it around quickly.”

Asked what was said about defence at the team meeting, McCullough said: “Make your tackles.”

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