Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold says Tevita Pangai does not need to change his technique despite copping yet another ban ahead of Friday night’s NRL clash with South Sydney.
Seibold admitted he was disappointed Pangai had been hit with a four-week dangerous contact suspension for a high shot on North Queensland’s Justin O’Neill in their opening round 28-21 win in Townsville.
It marked the burly forward’s fourth ban in a year, adding up to a total of 12 weeks on the sidelines.
While Seibold didn’t want Pangai to lose his aggression, the Broncos mentor said he would “educate” the backrower on how to play smarter in future during his latest sideline stint.
“It is disappointing that Tevita is not there this weekend because I thought he showed some good signs and touches on the weekend,” he said.
“But it is my job as a coach to help educate Tevita and help him make better decisions, particularly when he is so pumped up.
“We don’t want to take away his aggression. His weapon in his game is his intent.
“We just need to make sure he is making better decisions. It’s not a technique thing – it is about being a bit smarter about where his contact is.”
Brisbane’s forward depth will be tested against the Rabbitohs with Pangai now joining Matt Lodge (knee), captain Alex Glenn (hamstring) and Joe Ofahengaue (suspension) on the sidelines.
But Seibold backed Jamil Hopoate to help fill the void when he starts in Pangai’s place in the back-row on Friday night after making his NRL debut off the bench against the Cowboys.
“We are missing a few troops in the forwards and he (Hopoate) gets an opportunity,” he said.
“If you said two or three weeks ago that he would be starting as a right edge backrower for the Broncos he probably would have laughed at you.
“But he has had a good pre-season. And I said to Hoppa when you get your turn at the jersey it is what you do, it’s not how you get the opportunity.”
Seibold was also excited by young forward Ethan Bullemor’s upcoming NRL debut off the bench.