Tevita Pangai Junior’s NRL return with the Broncos receives huge boost

Tevita Pangai Jr’s planned NRL resurrection with the Broncos is one step closer after receiving a green light from one of the most powerful figures in rugby league.

Tevita Pangai Jr has been cleared to play in the QCup.

Tevita Pangai Jr is eyeing a return to rugby league in the Queensland Cup in the first step towards a possible NRL comeback with the Broncos later this season.

This masthead can reveal Pangai Jr is keen to turn out for Broncos feeder club Souths Logan this season as he ramps up plans to juggle the dual demands of top-level rugby league with professional boxing.

Pangai Jr’s planned rugby league resurrection has the blessing of Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin, who said his organisation would happily register a Hostplus Cup contract.

The former NSW Origin enforcer dropped a bombshell on the Bulldogs just six months ago when he suddenly quit the NRL to focus on a new career as a professional boxer.

Now living and training in Brisbane, Pangai Jr remains committed to boxing, but has held informal talks with Broncos hierarchy about a possible return to the NRL after June this year.

The first steps to a Broncos comeback could be via affiliate club the Magpies, with Pangai Jr confirming his interest in playing in Queensland’s premier league competition to work on his match fitness.

Tevita Pangai Jr has been cleared to play in the QCup.

Pangai Jr has strong ties with Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt and his assistant Justin Hodges, who fought on the same boxing card as the Tongan torpedo in Townsville last October.

“The Queensland Cup is definitely an option,” Pangai Jr said.

“Me and ‘Hodgo’ caught up in October for the fight in Townsville, we fought on the same card. I was having a joke with him about playing Queensland Cup and now it might become a reality.

“It would be pretty good to play for Souths Logan to help my fitness if I did come back to the NRL.

“I have a fight planned for March and hopefully after that fight I can start in the Queensland Cup and help some of the younger boys at Souths Logan.

“The speed isn’t the same as the NRL, but I believe they hit harder in the Queensland Cup.

“It can be more physical because there’s not as much wrestling as the NRL, so it would be a good test for me.”

It is understood Pangai Jr could join the Magpies from April after his fight. That would give the 28-year-old at least three months to build match fitness against quality opponents in the Hostplus Cup should a rumoured return to the Broncos come to fruition.

The Broncos have not tabled a deal for Pangai Jr, but have privately discussed the merits of a second coming for ‘TPJ’ at Red Hill.

The cut-off period for NRL transfers this season is June 30. At the very latest, Pangai Jr could be available for Brisbane’s round 17 clash against the Warriors on June 29, which would give the controversial forward 10 games before the NRL finals.

The NRL salary-cap auditor could ultimately determine Pangai Jr’s fate - the Broncos may baulk at the forward’s notional value and deem him too expensive - but Ikin put out the welcome mat.

Ikin, formerly part of the Broncos hierarchy which offloaded Pangai Jr to Penrith in 2021, hopes the 118kg wrecking ball appears in the Hostplus Cup this season.

TPJ at Broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

QRL CEO Ben Ikin. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It would be great to see Tevita back in our competition,” said QRL chief executive Ikin.

“He made the decision to step away from rugby league to pursue other opportunities.

“We are very proud of our competition and for those that choose it as a destination, someone of Tevita’s profile and ability is a vote of confidence in what the Hostplus Cup competition brings to the rugby league ecosystem.

“We would certainly register his deal.”

Just turned 28, Pangai Jr has played 138 first-grade games and Ikin is adamant the former Bronco can again succeed in the NRL.

“Of course Tevita can make it again in the NRL,” he said.

“If Souths Logan is the place he wants to play at, that’s a great club with a great history.

“I think the world of Karmichael Hunt, he is an NRL head coach of the future.

“Tevita just needs to get himself back in an environment he is enjoying and where he fits in and finds a way to play his best football consistently.

“No-one can deny Tevita’s footballing ability, so if he sees the Hostplus Cup as a good way for him to step back into the game, we’d welcome him to our competition.”