Broncos coach Kevin Walters is assured Tevita Pangai Junior shall be again within the NRL subsequent yr however not at Brisbane because the membership prepares to up the ante within the race to re-sign Ezra Mam.
Pangai shocked the rugby league world final week when he introduced he was hanging up the boots on the finish of the season to take up a profession in boxing.
The 27-year-old, who made his State of Origin debut a couple of months in the past, would earn far much less cash within the ring, which is why there’s a robust idea that he’ll return to rugby league sooner or later.
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Pangai spent six seasons on the Broncos however Walters can’t see a world through which he returns subsequent yr given the membership not too long ago re-signed Payne Haas on massive bucks, whereas additionally they have to bump up the contracts of a few of their different younger stars.
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“There wouldn’t be (any interest) because we don’t have any room in our salary cap,” he mentioned.
“We signed Payne Haas a couple of weeks ago and we’ve got Pat Carrigan and all these guys who are our middles.
“We wouldn’t be able to finance Tevita.
“I’m not sure where he’ll end up next year. Boxing might be a good opportunity for him, but I think we’ll find him back in a league jersey, maybe across the bridge somewhere.
“He’s coming back to South East Queensland, so if it won’t be us then it’ll either be at Redcliffe or maybe the Titans would entertain him as well.”
While Pangai isn’t on Brisbane’s radar, the Broncos have made it their high precedence to kind out a brand new deal for five-eighth Ezra Mam, with different golf equipment capable of negotiate with him from November 1.
The attacking ace is reportedly on simply $240,000 and will entice thrice as a lot if he hits the open market, with a membership just like the Raiders on the lookout for a playmaker to switch Jack Wighton.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for the Raiders, but Ezra will be in a maroon jersey for the next few years, not a green one,” mentioned Walters, who performed three seasons in Canberra.
“I know he loves playing here. He’s been through our academy system and then into first grade, so the plan is to keep Ezra.
“The plan will be (to get it done) before November 1. We’ll get the season out of the way in October or whenever it finishes, and then we’ll lock down Ezra, I would imagine. The boys upstairs are looking after that.”
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Mam is off contract on the finish of 2024 however the Broncos can’t look that far forward, with their present squad two wins away from securing the membership’s first minor premiership since 2000 after Penrith’s shock loss to Parramatta.
Brisbane simply have to beat the Raiders and the Storm to complete first and sure arrange one other conflict with Melbourne within the first week of the finals.
“Last night’s game doesn’t really affect our season in any way except we need to stay focused on the Broncos,” Walters mentioned.
“Winning the minor premiership is important. It’s not the be all and end all, but it’s really important in a team’s development.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
