Tevita Pangai Jr wants curb his dangerous play and missed games

Tevita Pangai Jr was Brisbane’s most suspended player in 2019 and the destructive forward admits he needs to change his power game to stop hurting the team.

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Brisbane firebrand forward Tevita Pangai Jr concedes he has to play smarter this year following a suspension-riddled 2019.

The club’s most suspended player last year, Pangai Jr missed seven games through incidents involving dangerous contact and careless high tackle charges.

The damaging forward, now in his fifth year at Red Hill, is due to line up against the Cowboys in the upcoming season-opener – his first NRL game back since Round 22 last year.

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Tevita Pangai Jr. in action during training in Brisbane. Photo: Glenn Hunt/ AAP Image

The 23-year-old admitted he had no plans to kerb his aggressive style but would look to play a “bit smarter”.

“I have to be aggressive,” Pangai Jr said.

“That’s what Seibs (coach Anthony Seibold) re-signed me for, for my aggression so I want to keep that.

“But obviously with carry-over points, I’ve got to be a bit smarter than that. We’ve got the NRL refs coming in and they’re always on me about repeat offences.

“That’s just my game. It’s high intensity, a power game.”

He copped a two-week ban for his late shot on former Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk in Round 4 last year and received a one week suspension for his “careless high tackle” on Titans’ Phillip Sami in Round 19.

The Tongan international was also ruled out for the final four games of the year after his dangerous contact with James Maloney in Round 22 at Suncorp Stadium.

Pangai admits he needs to change his game a little. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

He said he was aware of where the NRL drew the line between aggressive and carelessness but was going to continue with the intent to tackle hard.

“I know where the line is, but if I go out there not wanting to tackle then obviously not going to win the game,” he said.

“Two of them (suspensions) I felt were unlucky. It’s a fast game NRL so sometimes things go wrong.

“I just want to make big plays and inspire my team.”

The Broncos are ramping up their pre-season preparations, enduring 30C heat and 60 per cent humidity at Red Hill on Thursday.

Pangai Jr has described the pre-season as one of the toughest he’s been through at the club as Seibold focuses on the squad’s defensive effort.

The damaging ballrunner was spotted running in the backrow over the pre-season and said he was open to playing on the edge this year.

“I feel like I’m an edge backrower but I talk about selfless actions,” Pangai Jr said.

“If I have to play in the middle, then that’s where I feel I’m best for the team.

“I feel like I’m best for the team on the edge but I feel like I can play both.”