Pangai up against idol

TEVITA Pangai has dismissed concerns about his spate of leg injuries and is primed to outpoint his childhood idol, Souths premiership hero Sam Burgess, tonight at Suncorp Stadium.

Pangai is the one Brisbane forward with the fusion of power, toughness and ballplaying ability to match the energy of the British Test lock who inspired South Sydney’s charge to the 2014 title.

Pangai has waged a frustrating battle with injury this season, with several of his 18 games involving fitness tests on hamstring and groin complaints.

Clinging to eighth spot, the Broncos must halt the goforward of the Burgess brothers Sam, Tom and George to remain in the finals race, and Pangai is relishing one of the biggest tests of his career.

“Sam Burgess was one of my favourite players growing up, so it will be good to come up against him and test myself against the best,” he said.

“Souths will be tough. Damien Cook (Souths hooker) is a real danger. He is playing well off the big Burgess boys in the middle, so we have to make sure our ruck is really tight.”