Titans unlikely to target Tevita Pangai Jr after Bryce Cartwright quits club
Bryce Cartwright has played his last game for the Titans but his exit is unlikely to entice the club to pursue unwanted Broncos enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr to replace him. FIND OUT WHY
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Bryce Cartwright has played his last game for the Titans but he won’t be replaced on the Gold Coast by unwanted Bronco Tevita Pangai Jr.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook confirmed it was unlikely Cartwright would come back to the Gold Coast after returning to Sydney last month for personal reasons.
Cartwright, 25, joined the Titans from Penrith in 2018 and has played 43 games for the Gold Coast. He is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2021, but is expected to negotiate a release in the coming months.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Cartwright could look to build on his 112-game NRL career in Sydney next year, but interest in the former NSW Origin hopeful from rival clubs has been lacking.
“Probably not to be honest, but I don’t exactly know where that will finish,“ said Holbrook when asked if Cartwright would return to the Gold Coast.
“He is still off with his personal matters so I’m not sure where that’s at.
“It’s a personal issue that has nothing to do with the club and rugby league.
“He has to go back to Sydney a fair bit so he’s best off down there. It’s not for me to decide.
“As a coach you want to know what’s happening with your players but there’s a lot more involved in it.“
The impending departure of Cartwright as well as the retirement of former Kangaroos prop Shannon Boyd and captain Ryan James’ move to Canberra has opened up space in the Titans’ roster for next year.
But they won’t be making a play for Pangai Jr if he is sacked by the Broncos after being stood down indefinitely following numerous COVID protocol breaches.
Holbrook said he was happy with the recruitment of forwards David Fifita (Broncos), Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui (Storm) and Herman Ese’ese (Knights) for 2021.
“We’ve got David, Tino and Herman coming. I can’t have all forwards. It’s a matter of balancing the roster,“ Holbrook said. “We hadn’t planned on having Tevita available.
“It’d be unlikely with his price tag and things that have gone on.
“It’s not up to me to give a straight-out answer. I haven’t got an opinion on that, it’s too soon.
“We’ve got a recruitment committee that looks at everyone but it’s unlikely.”
MORE NRL
NRL’s warning: Broncos still sweating after pub saga
SBW out of quarantine, ready for Roosters
The Titans were this week linked to Queensland Origin utility Moses Mbye, who is on the outer at Wests Tigers.
Holbrook praised Mbye‘s character but said it was unlikely he would be wearing Titans colours in 2021.
“Moses has two more years at the Tigers so I see him playing there to be honest with you,“ he said. “He’s a good guy and good player, that’s for sure.
“A lot of things would have to happen for him to end up here. It’s unlikely if I’m honest. I don’t think it will happen.”