Bench role likely for Pangai
BRONCOS coach Anthony Seibold says explosive forward Tevita Pangai Jr could be in line for a bench spot in Round 1 as he toys with the idea of starting Matt Gillett at lock.
Pangai Jr is expected to overcome a hamstring injury in time for Brisbane’s NRL season-opener against the Storm in Melbourne next Thursday.
The Tongan powerhouse only played a total of 18 minutes in Brisbane’s pre-season trials after aggravating a chronic hamstring injury in the Broncos’ win against Wynnum-Manly on February 23.
Pangai Jr’s absence saw Gillett return from a broken neck and shoulder reconstruction in the unfamiliar No.13 jersey in Brisbane’s final trial win against the Gold Coast Titans last Saturday.
Seibold looked to simplify Gillett’s return from serious injuries by playing him in the middle of the field.
And it is a tactic he may continue to use for the NRL premiership despite Gillett being one of the game’s premier edge back-rowers.
“I’ll have a good look at that, he worked really hard through the middle of the park,” Seibold said.
“A lot of the effort areas that people in the crowd don’t see were outstanding considering he’s coming back from two major injuries.
“We lost Josh McGuire (to the Cowboys) who’s quite an experienced player there and Matt Gillett’s work rate has been a standout of his game. I thought he did a good job ….”
If Gillett starts at lock, Pangai Jr could be forced to come off the bench to provide experience in Brisbane’s forwards rotation.