NRL 2021: Tevita Pangai Jnr set to exit Brisbane Broncos, faces three game suspension for crusher tackle

Tevita Pangai Jr gave an emotional interview on Thursday after being told he was free to look for a new club – and a possible suspension may mean his Broncos career is over already.

Tevita Pangai Jnr could be on the move next season. Picture: Getty Images

Tevita Pangai Jr may have played his last game for the Broncos, with the unwanted Brisbane forward facing a three-four game suspension.

On the back of being told he is free to leave the Broncos, Pangai has been hit with a grade one crusher tackle charge from Thursday night’s 46-0 loss to South Sydney.

Pangai’s poor judiciary record means he is facing a longer than standard ban if he is guilty of the incident involving Rabbitohs forward Cam Murray.

The Broncos are yet to make a decision on Pangai’s charge, but if they take the early guilty plea he will not be sighted in the NRL for at least a month.

The entire NRL has a break next weekend for State of Origin II then the Broncos have a bye in Round 17, stretching out Pangai’s suspension.

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Tevita Pangai Jnr has been given permission to explore his options for next season. Picture: Getty Images

If Pangai secures a contract at a rival club he may leave the Broncos before his suspension is served, leaving his tally at 96 games for Brisbane.

The Broncos are taking the axe to their salary cap with Pangai Jr given permission to leave the club and forward teammate Matt Lodge linked with a fresh move to the Warriors.

Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy dropped a bombshell on the eve of the Broncos’ Thursday night clash against Souths, confirming the club had given Pangai Jnr their blessing to explore his options on the open market.

A shattered Pangai was on the verge of tears after Brisbane’s 46-0 loss to South Sydney.

“Right now I’m on contract for this year and next year but they got me in on my day off and told me I’m free to look elsewhere,” he told Channel 9.

“Players have got to be accountable for the results we’ve been tossing up so if that’s me, I’ll have to look elsewhere. I’ll take it day by day, week by week, and see where my future is.

“We’ve got one game in the next three weeks so I’d love to get my future sorted in the next three weeks. I haven’t thought about (where I might go).

“I thought I was on contract but contracts don’t mean much these days. I’ve got to cop it on the chin and get my manager to do his job.”

Tevita Pangai Jnr reveals that the Broncos told him he's free to look elsewhere. 😮

Where should he go? 🤔

Stream the post match: https://t.co/DSYLt9rVAv#9WWOS#NRL#NRLBroncosSouthspic.twitter.com/Pt8s3D9qoy

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 17, 2021

The Pangai Jnr development came as the Warriors reignited their interest in Lodge, whose mid-season move to the Knights has collapsed, leaving the Broncos desperately juggling a salary-cap headache.

Pangai Jnr is contracted until the end of next year but the Tongan Test star is unlikely to be at the Broncos in 2022 and could head for the Red Hill exits in the coming weeks.

Broncos boss Donaghy said: “Tevita has been given permission to speak with other clubs. Given our position, we are reviewing our roster and sometimes that involves some challenging discussions.

“In saying that, our discussions with Tevita have been open, honest and respectful.

“In an ideal world, these calls would be made post-season, but free agency in the NRL does not enable that.”

Pangai Jnr denied he held talks with the Wests Tigers last month and his manager Matt Desira said the forward has been blindsided by the Broncos’ decision.

“It’s come as a shock,” he said.

“Six weeks ago the Broncos told us they wanted Tevita and now it’s changed.

“Whether it’s because they can’t move Matt Lodge on I’m not sure, you have to ask them.

“We didn’t ask for a release. The Broncos came to us and said we were free to look around. They didn’t really give me a reason why.”

Tevita Pangai Jnr talks to Broncos coach Kevin Walters at training. Picture: Liam Kidston

Pangai’s management met Broncos officials recently to ask whether he had a future at the club. The Broncos told Pangai they were not ready to offer him an extension, prompting his management to seek permission to explore alternative options.

“Tevita is OK about it,” Desira said. “He understands how the game works, but it’s important we get the next decision right.

“We’re not even close to making a decision. He has interest from a few clubs but we’ve had no formal chats with anyone at this stage.

“I think Tevita will finish the year at the Broncos but it might change, I’m not sure.”

The Broncos are in the thick of a roster rebuild and will use Pangai’s money to strengthen their spine and add more leadership.

His expected departure will end a tumultuous time at the Broncos for Pangai.

At times, he has been destructive. At others, he has appeared distracted.

The Broncos have done their best to extract the best from Pangai, most notably when they stood by him last season after he found himself in trouble for his behaviour off the field.

Rather than sack Pangai for multiple breaches of the Covid regulations, they provided him with a mentor and honoured his deal.

However, it appears the club has finally opted to cut their losses with the 25-year-old as they seek to free up funds to rebuild the club.

Chief executive Donaghy is understood to have rubber-stamped the decision as he oversees an overhaul of the biggest club in the game.

Lodge’s future at the Broncos remains in doubt as he edges towards a move, potentially to the Warriors.

The Broncos have already signed South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds for next season and have been linked with Canberra rake Josh Hodgson, although no formal talks have taken place.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Tevita Pangai Jnr set to exit Brisbane Broncos, faces three game suspension for crusher tackle