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Pangai and Cooper unite as two codes lift on back of mateship

The best of rugby league, sport and mateship was on show at the Broncos former training field on Thursday.

I am one of many staff on leave while the NRL competition is suspended as the nation grapples with the coronavirus pandemic so I went for my semi-regular six-kilometre run to Red Hill and back.

Halfway through I arrived at the training oval to see Broncos forward Tevita Pangai jnr, his younger brother Jermaine, rugby union superstar Quade Cooper and Corporate Box Gym's Richie Brennan undergoing a full-on fitness session.

It was a classic case of mates helping each other in a time of great upheaval.

The quartet observed social isolation guidelines and trained two or three metres apart.

"The gym is shut but we are still trying to do some work under strict guidelines," Pangai said.

"My brother came up from Canberra a year ago at 140 kilos plus but now he is down to 120, so it is a credit to Richie and Corporate Box.

"I just want to make sure that I am not wasting any time and keep up my fitness and strength so I am ready for a four-week pre-season if we start playing again on September 1.

Corporate Box Gym's Richie Brennan and Tevita Pangai jnr.
Corporate Box Gym's Richie Brennan and Tevita Pangai jnr. ©NRL Photos

"My eyes are on that, but obviously until then I live day-to-day.

"It is a difficult time for everyone but tough times like this build true character. I am very disheartened for the people who have lost their lives and that are sick but it is a time we just have to get through together.

"Quade has done a lot in rugby union and he is good friends with Sonny [Bill Williams] so I am always picking his brain and asking him one hundred questions about ‘what does Sonny do?’ and about what he does because they are both really professional and elite athletes."

Brennan's gym in Lutwyche has been closed due to federal legislation but he has selflessly thought outside the box to keep his clients, and friends, fit.

"As of Monday we completely ground to a halt so it is a ghost gym at the moment," he said.

"The fridges are off. The lights are off, and the bags are just hanging.

"We are a really community-based gym which is why we have the likes of Tevita, his brother and Quade down there. Everyone knows each other and we stick together.

"Now all we have got is each other and the great outdoors. These boys have to stay fit so we help each out.

“Ever since I have known Tevita he goes to training with the Broncs all day and then does extras with us because he wants to be the best all the time.

"Same with Quade. He is in the gym at 5am every day. That is why these boys get the big bucks and why they are superstars."

Cooper is signed to Kintetsu Liners in Japan’s second-tier rugby competition but he is now preparing for next season which kicks off in December/January. The coronavirus has ensured his break in Australia is longer than the 31-year-old anticipated.

"We are on our off-season and were meant to go back there this weekend but they have extended that out for another six weeks until the end of April," he said.

"We have a group of boys based here so we thought we’d get together in groups of two and keep training.

 
 
 
 
 
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Love training with the brothers from different teams and different walks of life. Always keep and open mind and be willing to listen and learn. ❤️

A post shared by Quade Cooper (@quadecooper) on

"I am a big supporter of Tevita and it has been nice to get to know him over the last few years down at Corporate Box where we have had a fair few of the league boys through.

"For me it is just about training with different personalities and Tevita has so much to offer. I've never seen a big guy so nimble on his feet.

"I’m not trying to steal him away from rugby league but I tell him he’d be awesome in rugby union where I could see him trucking it up at inside centre."

Pangai had a chuckle about Cooper's praise as he admitted the future was still unknown.

"Once my body is done with rugby league we will see what happens but I am on contract here for another three years and hopefully that is still valid after all this is done. I might have to get another job," he said.

"The RLPA is doing their job and some good players have come out and said they are willing to take a pay cut for the boys down the bottom on the minimum wage so that just goes to show we are united as a playing group and we want to keep the game alive."

Cooper summed up the situation when he said that now is a time for those in all codes to stick tight.

"As footy players all we want to do is be out there playing but we are understand that it is a tough time for everyone and we are just trying to keep everyone safe," he said.

"Throughout this time it is great to have so much support to lean on. I sent a few text messages out to people over the past week checking in on how they are going, and a lot have sent messages back saying 'mate, we are all in this together'."

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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