By Danny Weidler, Michael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
Tevita Pangai jnr has informed his Canterbury teammates of his decision to retire from the NRL to pursue a career in boxing as Payne Haas committed his future to the Broncos on the biggest deal in the club’s history.
The powerful Canterbury forward, who is on a deal worth around $750,000 at the Bulldogs next season, has decided to walk away from the sport.
Pangai jnr will retire from the NRL at the end of the season. He has been mulling over the idea of leaving the sport for some time but made the decision to inform his teammates at Belmore on Tuesday.
It comes as Haas has agreed to a three-year deal to remain at the Brisbane Broncos. He’s set to remain at Red Hill until the end of 2026 on a deal believed to be worth between $3.5-$3.6m.
The Broncos upped their offer in recent days in a deal that will see Haas earn around $1.2m a year, joining Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as the highest paid forward in the competition.
Haas was contracted at the Broncos next season but the club has decided to upgrade that deal and extend him for another two more years.
Tevita Pangai Jr and Payne Haas.Credit: Getty
“It’s a celebratory moment for Brisbane and Payne,” Haas’ agent Ahmad Merhi told this masthead.
“Payne’s happy and his partner’s happy and the Broncos are happy. Any questions now should be directed to Brisbane. It’s their moment.”
The Broncos have been negotiating with Haas for a couple of years through two different management companies.
There has been talk of a potential code switch in recent weeks but Haas has reaffirmed his commitment to Brisbane by agreeing to a new deal.
Broncos star Payne Haas.Credit: Getty
Merhi finalised the deal with Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy on Tuesday afternoon. This masthead has been told the deal includes a ratchet clause which will see Haas’ deal increase based on the percentage of the rise of the salary cap.
Haas’ deal comes a few days after Fa’asuamaleaui inked a 10-year deal with the Titans worth around $12m. It’s believed there is a ratchet clause in certain years of that deal.
As for Pangai jnr, a close friend of Haas, he has decided to walk away from the sport to pursue boxing despite leaving his mentor Khoder Nasser — Sonny Bill Williams’ long-time agent — perplexed by the decision to quit the sport given he could potentially do both.
“All I know is that he’s leaving rugby league to do boxing,” Nasser said of Pangai jnr. “It’s absolute madness.”
The Bulldogs are yet to discuss the implications with the NRL’s salary cap auditor, but they are exected to have around $750,000 extra to spend next year.
General manager Phil Gould wished “TPJ” all the best in his next sporting endeavour.
“We would like to thank Tevita for his contribution to the club,” Gould said in a statement.
“He has been a valuable member of the team and will remain to be so during these final few rounds.
“We are well aware of his talent as an athlete and are fully supportive of his decision to pursue another sport at the season’s end. We wish him and his family all the best for the future. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.”
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