Tevita Pangai Jr could be set for a sensational return to the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos in 2024, despite quitting the sport to take up boxing last season. The former representative forward sent shockwaves through the code in 2023 after announcing that he was walking away from a contract with the Bulldogs worth around $750,000 per season, to take up professional boxing.

The 27-year-old is unbeaten from his three professional fights to date and will next step into the ring in March for the fourth fight of his professional career. However, it’s now emerged that Pangai Jr believes he can juggle careers in both boxing and the NRL and is targeting a return to the Broncos for the second half of the season, according to the Courier Mail.

League reporter Peter Badel says Pangai Jr has spoken to Broncos powerbrokers about making a return to play for his former club, having only recently walked away from the game after indifferent form with the Bulldogs in 2023. Pangai Jr debuted with the Broncos in 2016 and featured in nearly 100 games for the Brisbane club before leaving.

Speculation around his potential return to the club and the NRL has heated up after the 27-year-old was spotted at Brisbane training recently, having moved back to Queensland after his tenure at the Bulldogs ended. Pangai Jr is close friends with star Brisbane duo Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, with comments from the former appearing to validate the reports about a potential comeback.