NRL Blindside: Tevita Pangai pay cut, stars go home, and Broncos look after sponsors

Tevita Pangai calls for players to get behind impending pay cut, the Broncos go to great lengths to protect their sponsors, and which player was caught in a food court while under strict quarantine? Check out Blindside here.

Broncos forward Tevita Pangai has backed the push for player pay cuts, saying he will do whatever is necessary to ensure the NRL avoids going broke.

Brisbane players were ordered on Wednesday to take three months leave effective immediately with a proposed return to training date of early July.

Pangai Jr is on around $600,000 a season at the Broncos and accepts his monthly wage will be slashed during the coronavirus pandemic that has already cost Australians more than a million jobs.

“I'm more than happy to take a pay cut,” he said.

Tevita Pangai Jr says he’s happy to take a pay cut. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“If it keeps the game viable and running, we all have to take pay cuts across the board. I am putting my faith in Clint Newton (RLPA boss) and the RLPA but the reality is we all have to take less money.

“It's our job, we have been getting paid good money for a long time so now we have to accept the reality of the situation. Hopefully when this is all over we can get back to playing rugby league and entertain the fans again.

“I am trusting the RLPA and the NRL to do the right thing by the players. They are caring for our health and safety. Like the wider community, players have jobs and mortgages and bills to pay but that's a challenge we all face as a country and worldwide.

“People in the world are doing it tougher than me but it's just disappointing I don't get to see the boys and go to training each day.”

Pangai Jr remains hopeful the NRL will kick off this season around September 1.

“I wouldn't say I'm worried about the game,” he said. “Hopefully this runs for just six months and we can ride out the storm and be back playing later this year or next season.

“I am doing some indoor training. The only trips I will be making is to the shops for some food and meat.”

Anthony Milford poses with daughter Ariana and Kodi Nikorima poses with son Zavier in March last year. Picture: AAP Image/Claudia Baxter

NRL stars head home amid crisis

SEVERAL NRL stars have already been clearing out of town to catch up with family during their period of enforced leave.

Queensland Origin pivot Cameron Munster left Melbourne to drive to the Sunshine Coast, while several Broncos players have left Brisbane. Injured utility back Jack Bird will return to the NSW south-coast to visit family, while Tom Flegler is off to Cairns to see his mum and dad.

Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford left Red Hill after a player meeting on Wednesday and said his main concern was his young daughter Ariana Eve.

“I've got a 15-month-old so I just want to look after my child,” he said.

“Paul White (Broncos CEO) and the coaching staff addressed the players. This issue is bigger than rugby league and one of the main messages is to make sure we stick together.

“A lot of people in the world are doing it tougher than we are so it puts things with perspective.

“We will stick within the government guidelines. We can train in groups of up to 10 so we'll try and train together to keep some fitness while we're not playing.”

The Broncos blurred out Joe Ofahengaue’s t-shirt.

Broncos bid to protect sponsors

THE NRL may be in crisis but the Brisbane Broncos are still trying to look after their sponsors as much as possible.

The Broncos went to the lengths of blurring out the brand of shirt prop Joe Ofahengaue was wearing in a video on the club’s website this week.

Ofahengaue was not in official club apparel when he was speaking about the suspension of the NRL season and what it meant for the Broncos.

And the Broncos’ digital team ensured he didn’t promote a brand that isn’t aligned to the club, blurring out his shirt.

Boyd urges people to stay safe

DARIUS Boyd has urged people to not take the coronavirus pandemic lightly.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that we probably won’t see again," Boyd said.

“We’ve got to do what we can do and listen to the experts and hope everyone gets through as safely and well as we can. That’s not just football, it’s society in general.

“Most people probably thought we’d be all right and it’s not that bad but we’re starting to realise it’s really serious."

Titans get personal gym gear

GOLD Coast Titans staff have been delivering gym equipment and supplies to players to help them keep fit during the indefinite season break.

The players have been delivered individual training programs and the club has ordered extra fitness gear to distribute.

They want the players to stay in decent shape in case the NRL season kicks off again this year.

Broncos player food caught!

WHICH Broncos player raised eyebrows when he was spotted having lunch in the food court of a busy Brisbane shopping centre last Friday after being told to stay away from crowds?