NRL 2024: Pat Carrigan hopes Broncos will give Tevita Pangai Junior a second chance to resurrect career

Pat Carrigan has called on Brisbane to hand retired front-rower Tevita Pangai Jr another chance to resurrect his NRL career, after a surprise appearance at Broncos pre-season training.

10/1/2024: Tevita Pangai Jr watches pre season Broncos training at Red Hill, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Pat Carrigan hopes the Broncos will hand boxing convert Tevita Pangai Jr a second chance to resurrect his NRL career in Brisbane.

Pangai Jr turned heads when he made a surprise appearance as a spectator at Broncos’ pre-season training last week after making the stunning decision to walk away from the NRL to pursue a career in professional boxing.

Just months after making his State of Origin debut for NSW last year, Pangai Jr reportedly abandoned a $750,000 contract with the Bulldogs for no guarantees in the boxing ring.

Pangai Jr, 27, fought on an NRL-flavoured card in Townsville last October, but hasn’t entered the ring since and his appearance at Red Hill fuelled speculation he could be considering a return to the NRL.

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

10/1/2024: Tevita Pangai Jr watches pre season Broncos training at Red Hill, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

While he has a close relationship with Broncos forwards Payne Haas and Carrigan, Pangai Jr found himself on the wrong side of a culture overhaul at the Broncos and was moved on.

Now back in Brisbane following a turbulent two years at Canterbury, Carrigan hopes Pangai Jr can earn a second coming at the Broncos.

“There’s a bit of noise around Tevita,” Carrigan said after training with the Albatross All Abilities Nippers on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

“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.”

While Walters had his reasons for squeezing Pangai Jr out of the Broncos, representative players with 138 games of NRL experience don’t come around often.

The Broncos lost grand final players Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to the Dolphins while Keenan Palasia (Titans) and Kurt Capewell (Warriors) have also departed.

Brisbane is short on back row depth, a position Pangai Jr could bolster, but Carrigan is confident they’ve got the cattle to go one better in 2024.

Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and Patrick Carrigan, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

“(Flegler) is a big loss, he’s become one of the best front rowers in the game,” Carrigan said.

“Our marquee signing Fletcher Baker has plenty of skill, is a big body and has been at a really good club (Roosters).

“He comes into the mix and Marty (Taupau), Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington are all rep standard footy players that are pushing Payne and myself.

“‘Capes’ leaves, which is a big hole in experience, but you get Brendan Piakura whose potential is endless.

“Someone will step up. You manage it and move on. People will step up and do a job for us.”

One move that is unlikely to eventuate is Carrigan shifting from his beloved No. 13 jersey to the front row as Flegler’s replacement.

Walters hasn’t floated the idea with Carrigan, who wouldn’t be opposed to the move but has become a Maroons and Kangaroos star at lock.

Brisbane Broncos player Pat Carrigan with nipper Matt Daly, 11, at Nobby's Surf Club. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“Kevvie hasn’t had this chat with me but you guys are having this chat in the media,” Carrigan said with a laugh.

“I don’t care, I’ll do whatever’s best for the team.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in the 13 jersey. I feel like I’ve worked on my craft and I’ve got a lot of growth to do there.

“I’ve got a pretty high opinion of Kobe Hetherington too, so whatever’s best for the team is best for the team.

“Whatever Kev says goes. I won’t be arguing with the big fella.”

Carrigan, 26, spent his Saturday morning alongside Olympic swimmer Mack Horton frolicking in the ocean outside Nobby’s Beach Surf Club with the Albatross Nippers, a program designed for children with special needs.

“The kids love the water and so do I,” said Carrigan, a Gold Coast local.

“It’s a pretty exciting program they’ve got. I’m loving it. It’s cool to see how far these kids have come on their journeys.

“The opportunity for these kids to come here into a safe space environment and be themselves is great.”