Could Tevita Pangai Junior return to the NRL just months after retiring to focus on his career in boxing?
The former Bulldogs forward caught the league off-guard at the backend of last season when he called it a day on his eight-year stint seemingly out of nowhere.
Rumours began to swirl immediately due to Pangai Junior leaving close to $500k on the table by leaving his contract a year early, with many speculating a reunion with his former club the Brisbane Broncos.
Pangai Junior didn’t take long to dip his toes back into the world of rugby league after inking a deal with the Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup in early February.
With the Magpies being a feeder club for the Broncos, Pangai Junior’s return to the NRL could come much sooner than expected.
“I haven’t received any offers,” Pangai Junior told SENQ Mornings.
“Obviously I stay in contact with Wayne (Bennett) because he’s the one that gave me my first opportunity at the Broncos and he was a big reason why I came to the Broncos, well exactly the reason.
“Like I said I’m just happy to be back in Brisbane boxing, living back up here, my wife is from here, this is where I made my debut, I lived here for six years so it’s sort of home to me.
“I’ll probably have an answer for you in a couple of weeks.”
Whilst Pangai continued to state his focus remains on his next boxing fight this weekend, he admitted he is hopeful of getting a chance to come back to the Broncos.
“Kevvie’s got my number, they know where to find me,” Pangai Junior added.
“They’re not struggling at the moment, they played in a Grand Final, I think that (with) the spot that they’re in they can pick and choose who they want to come into the team.
“I’d be happy to go back there but right now I haven’t received anything, we’ll just wait and see, hopefully.”
Pangai Junior will resume full-time training with the Magpies’ after this Saturday night where he is set to face Raphael Sa'u in the Fists and the Furious event.