Tevita Pangai Jr addresses Broncos teammates over Roosters speculation
Tevita Pangai Jr was embroiled in an off-field storm in the lead-up to Friday night‘s clash against Souths following a report that he had reached out to Roosters supremo Nick Politis.
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Brisbane stand-in captain Pat Carrigan is confident Tevita Pangai Jr will not walk out on the Broncos following speculation the Tongan international has made inquiries about a potential move to the Roosters.
Pangai Jr was embroiled in an off-field storm in the lead-up to Friday night‘s clash against Souths when a Sydney media report claimed the Broncos forward had reached out to Roosters supremo Nick Politis.
The Roosters claim they aren‘t interested in Pangai Jr, who subsequently used his social-media account to set the record straight, saying he regularly chats about football matters with billionaire chairman Politis.
It is understood Pangai Jr‘s name has also been tabled with recruitment staff at Canterbury, but Carrigan insists he has no concerns his Broncos forward cohort will head for the Red Hill exits.
The 24-year-old Pangai Jr signed a three-year deal last season to remain at the Broncos until the end of 2022.
“I‘m not sure if there is much in it to be honest,” Carrigan said.
“‘T’ has already come out and addressed it.
“I know at the end of the day, Tevita won‘t turn away from backing us up or backing ‘Seibs’ (coach Anthony Seibold) up or turning down a challenge (against the Rabbitohs).
“He would be a man in demand and you would be crazy if clubs weren‘t going after him.
“In saying that, I know he is committed to the Broncos and he enjoys what we have got here at the moment.”
Carrigan says he has no issues with Pangai Jr seeking the counsel of a rival chairman in Politis, whose Roosters club expressed interest in the Tongan Test star two years ago.
“People have different mentors in all walks of life and if it helps T play good footy then he can talk to who he wants to in my opinion,” he said.
“I know he has a relationship with Nick Politis and as long as it‘s for the right reasons, which I’m sure it is, then I’m not sure you would worry.
“The footy world is a big world and people know a lot of people.”
Carrigan and Pangai Jr will receive more help in the pack on Friday night with key duo David Fifita and Matt Lodge returning from knee injuries to bolster Brisbane‘s midfield.
The Broncos won back-to-back games in March with Fifita running rampant on their left edge, including their 22-18 disposal of the Rabbitohs in round two at Suncorp Stadium.
“I am pretty good mates with Davey, so it‘s a bit of fun when I get to run out with someone like him,” Carrigan said.
“He speaks for himself as a player, he can create something out of nothing on almost every run, he will bring some X-factor and talk and competitiveness. He doesn‘t like to get beaten.
“Dave always seems to turn it on against Souths, he has worked hard to get himself back from injury. He is in a good headspace and enjoying his footy and he can‘t wait to get out there.
“We have fallen short the last few weeks and this week is a chance to get two points and put in an 80-minute performance. Near enough isn‘t good enough for us as a group.”
Originally published as Tevita Pangai Jr addresses Broncos teammates over Roosters speculation