NRL 2016: Tevita Pangai, Billy McConnachie to boost Broncos’ forward depth

THE Broncos are set to add firepower to their forwards depth, with Tevita Pangai and Billy “Madness” McConnachie to sign with the club.

Billy McConnachie scores for the Ipswich Jets in their game against the Newcastle Knights in the State Championships Grand Final at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. pic Mark Evans

THE Broncos are set to add firepower to their forwards depth, with Tevita Pangai and Billy McConnachie expected to sign with the club in the coming week.

It is believed the Raiders have released second-rower Pangai, who was already on the books for Brisbane for 2017, while former Ipswich Jet McConnachie will return to Queensland from a pre-season stint with the Tigers.

Both forwards are expected to sign second-tier contracts with the Broncos this week.

Billy McConnachie in action for Ipswich during the State Championship. Picture: Mark Evans

It will not only be Brisbane that reap the benefits of having the promising youngsters on call, with the Jets hopeful of welcoming McConnachie, 25, back into the fold.

The enforcer, who is known as “Madness”, helped lead Ipswich to Intrust Super Cup grand final glory last year with a man-of-the-match performance over the Townsville Blackhawks.

A week later he was a rugby league villain after he threw a punch at Newcastle’s Jake Mamo on the way to winning the State Championship.

But for those at Ipswich, particularly coaches Ben and Shane Walker, he is the hero they need.

Tevita Pangai in action for the Junior Kangaroos. Picture: Adam Head

Ben Walker saidthat the Jets were hopeful of having McConnachie for their Round 1 clash with Norths next Saturday, saying he could bring leadership to the team.

And it will be the second big comeback for the club, who are also celebrating the return of speedster Marmin Barba from rugby sevens.

“By coming back to us, he (McConnachie) adds an enormous amount of confidence to our group,” Ben Walker said.

“His determined runs and courageous defence is something that’s really important to our team.

“If I was a young player at the Jets, or indeed at the Broncos, and I had Billy next to me then I would feel pretty good about myself.”

Originally published as NRL 2016: Tevita Pangai, Billy McConnachie to boost Broncos’ forward depth