Blindside: Tevita Pangai Jr fighting for his Broncos future
Coach Anthony Seibold insists Tevita Pangai Jr is a priority re-signing but money is running out under the salary cap and the rampaging forward needs to rediscover his best form to have market appeal.
NRL
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FORMER Australian heavyweight champion Mark “Chopper” Burgess has come out swinging in the wake of the Justin Hodges fight fiasco, offering to jump in the ring with the former Broncos skipper.
Hodges’ 23-second disposal of Troy McMahon on Wednesday night has angered the likes of Burgess, a boxing purist who won three Australian titles and now whips rugby’s Queensland Reds into shape.
Hodges eventually hopes to fight Paul Gallen and the hard-as-nails Burgess says the former Origin star needs a serious hit-out to improve as a boxer.
“I will fight Justin Hodges tomorrow,” said Burgess, who once served as a protection officer for ex-Queensland premier Peter Beattie.
“I’m 58 years old and 88kg. But let me give Justin a warning – I will punch back.
“Despite my age, I will knock him out in a heartbeat. If Justin lasts more than two rounds with me, I will retire.
“As a three-time Australian champion, it disgusts me to see what’s happening to boxing. The scenes the other night were a disgrace to the sport.
“Boxing is the most disciplined sport in the world.
“I did 21 rounds of sparring with the Queensland Reds on Saturday night. I do it every Saturday morning.
“Justin Hodges is better than fighting Uber drivers. Get me in the ring with him and let’s put on a show.”
Agent confirms Broncos asked about Walker
ARE the Broncos interested in Souths sensation Cody Walker? Broncos coach Anthony Seibold says no. Walker’s management has a different view.
Seven NRL clubs have expressed interest in the NSW Origin hopeful, who is off-contract at the end of 2020, and Walker’s agent Matt Rose claims the Broncos have contacted him.
“I’ve had dialogue with Brisbane’s hierarchy in recent weeks and Cody Walker’s name has been at the top of discussions,” Rose said.
“Like any club, the Broncos can’t make a formal offer yet as Cody is under contract, but clubs are allowed to lodge their interest.
“I’ve had a stack of clubs calling me about Cody and we will explore his future further in November when we can hold formal talks with clubs.
“Right now, Cody is focused on having a huge year at Souths, he is determined to win a premiership for the club.”
Walker flourished under Seibold’s coaching at Souths last year, but the Broncos mentor is adamant the club is not chasing the in-form five-eighth.
“I rate Cody Walker very highly as a player but he just hasn’t been discussed at any level and certainly his management haven’t been approached by anyone here at the club,” Seibold said.
“I know Cody’s very well settled down in Sydney and at South Sydney. That’s his home and he’s playing his best football down there.”
Titans recognise their history
TITANS culture and performance boss Mal Meninga is determined to recognise the club’s rich history with a special jersey presentation this Saturday at Robina.
Current duo Ryan James and Anthony Don will join another seven former Titans in being presented with milestone jerseys before Gold Coast’s clash with the Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium.
James, Don, Nathan Friend, Luke O’Dwyer, William Zillman, Kevin Gordon, Matt White and Anthony Laffranchi will all receive commemorative jerseys from Meninga honouring their feat of having played 100 NRL games for the Titans.
Zillman will receive a second jersey to mark his 150th game, which he played against the Panthers in Sydney in July 2017.
For active players like James and Don, the milestone badge will be carried on their playing jerseys in every game they play this season.
Players who reach 100 games will receive a white jersey, a sky blue jersey for 150 games, navy jersey for 200 games and gold for 250 games.
Meninga said the club’s recognition of significant milestones was another step in the Titans’ maturation as a club and a key part of the Gold Coast’s future fabric.
“Despite being a relatively young club, the Titans already have a rich history with some wonderful achievements from individuals that helped to create this club,” Meninga said.
“It is important for our club to recognise the special efforts of these players in reaching these milestone matches.
“The players know they are and will remain cherished members of the Titans family.”
Pangai fighting for his Red Hill future
COREY Oates ’ impending new deal with the Broncos leaves Tevita Pangai Jr fighting for his future at Red Hill.
With the Broncos having retained Joe Ofahengaue and Oates, attention now turns to Pangai Jr and Alex Glenn, who are the two remaining big names at Red Hill without a contract for next season.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold insists Pangai Jr is a priority re-signing but money is running out under the salary cap and the rampaging forward needs to rediscover his best form to have market appeal.
Glenn has been one of Brisbane’s most consistent players this season, but it will be difficult for the Broncos to afford both he and Pangai Jr in the current salary-cap climate.
One variable could be James Roberts. If the out-of-favour NSW Origin centre eventually seeks a release from the Broncos, it could give Brisbane some additional funds to retain Tongan torpedo Tevita.
Bunnies keep an eye on Su’A
SOUTH Sydney are keeping a close eye on Jaydn Su’A’s plight at the Broncos.
Su’A was tipped as a possible Queensland Origin bolter this season but the 21-year-old has had a dramatic fall from grace, axed by Broncos coach Anthony Seibold to the Intrust Super Cup four weeks ago.
Life at Souths Logan would also be demoralising for Su’A. He was the only tryscorer for the Magpies in a 72-4 belting by Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago.
Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, now at Souths, is a huge fan of Su’A and gave him his NRL debut in 2016. The back-rower signed a two-year extension with Brisbane last year, rejecting a lucrative offer from Souths in the process.
Seibold is adamant Su’A has a future at the Broncos.
“Jaydn’s performances weren’t up to standard and I gave him the feedback and he has gone back and played two games for Souths Logan and he will play another game this weekend,” he said.
“We thought he needed to play some time as an edge back-rower so that’s what he’s doing back at Souths Logan.”
Gold Coast recruiters miss the mark
TITANS development and recruitment chiefs should watch tonight’s Roosters-Broncos clash and give themselves an uppercut.
Tonight’s blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium will pit Broncos young gun Tom Dearden against Roosters rival Luke Keary – two playmakers who were both snubbed by the Titans,
Keary was playing so well in the Burleigh Bears colts in 2011 that the club rang the Titans and urged them to sign the Ipswich product.
When Keary turned up to Robina hoping to impress, he was used as a defender in training drills and he got the message he wasn’t wanted, opening the door for him to shift to South Sydney.
Dearden was carving up at Tweed Heads in the Titans’ backyard, only for the Gold Coast to lose out to the Broncos in a bidding war.
Titans co-owners Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly should give their recruiters a rocket. If the Titans ever want to be a credible finals force, they need to keep their best young kids.
Broncos front-row sensation Payne Haas is another former Titans junior who slipped the net.
Remember it even if you can’t say it
REMEMBER the name Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. The Queensland under-20s back-row sensation is so highly-regarded by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy the Storm are attempting to upgrade the kid from Gympie to a new deal. The 107kg dynamo played for Queensland Residents last week and is tipped to make his NRL debut for the Storm in the coming months.
PLAYER STOCKS
RISING
PAYNE HAAS: The Broncos prop ran for a staggering 236 metres against Manly last week. The 19-year-old is the fittest big man in the game and is already being talked about as a NSW Origin debutant.
KYLE FLANAGAN: The son of former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan looks the goods. Showed some nice touches and nerves of steel at five-eighth in Cronulla’s Magic Round defeat of the Titans.
RYAN PAPENHUYZEN: The Storm fullback looked every bit as sharp as Billy Slater in Melbourne’s demolition of the Eels. Speed to burn and lovely game awareness.
KODI NIKORIMA: Nice to see the Broncos discard celebrate victory in his first game for the Warriors back at his old home Suncorp Stadium. Has handled his Broncos exit with class and dignity.
FALLING
GAVIN COOPER: Has been a wonderful servant for the Cowboys but the 33-year-old is fighting to retain his Queensland Origin jumper. Made just four runs for 24 metres against Souths.
BEN HUNT: His hot-and-cold performance against the Warriors has been noted by Queensland Origin selectors. Can’t afford big-game blunders under pressure.
REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD: What has happened to RCG? Was the code’s most dominant prop two years ago but made just 62 metres in Penrith’s dismal loss to the Tigers.
KIERAN FORAN: His birth date says he is 28 but he is playing like he’s 38. Kalyn Ponga made him look very old with his superb footwork to put the Dogs to bed.
Originally published as Blindside: Tevita Pangai Jr fighting for his Broncos future
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