Seibold wants 'explosive' Pangai to rock Storm

Tevita Pangai jnr won't play big minutes in the NRL season opener against Melbourne on Thursday night but Anthony Seibold wants the Broncos powerhouse to make a massive impact.

The 23-year-old forward, who has recovered from a hamstring injury which limited his trial time to just 20 minutes of action against Wynnum-Manly, is the most experienced campaigner among Brisbane's interchange quartet alongside Kotoni Staggs, David Fifita and debutant Thomas Flegler.

The Tongan international trained strongly this week and Seibold, who said the "effort areas" of the game would decide the result, is seeking improvement in that area as well from Pangai.

"Looking at what he did last year he was a really explosive player and we want him to bring energy and enthusiasm off the bench," Seibold said.

"Outside of that, he doesn’t have to try and win us the game or put on big shots. We just expect him to do his job. One of the things the middles have to do really well is the effort areas of the game, and the expectation is he will do that really well for us but we want him to bring some impact off the bench as well."

Pangai has battled soft tissue injuries and a lack of consistency in his short career but Seibold said he had made strides forward in his work ethic in recent months.

"We would have liked him to have played more minutes [in the trials] but he has had a really good week’s prep. It is about making sure the minutes he plays count," Seibold said.

"Tevita has an enormous amount of potential and ultimately will get what he deserves. If he continues to work hard and work on his consistency then that will transfer to his game. I am really enjoying coaching Tevita.

"He’s a good young man and is working really hard to try and improve on the field and off the field as well."

While Test and Maroons forward Matt Gillett will play lock, Seibold said he would have a similar role to what he did as an edge back-rower while also supporting the side's young middle forwards.

"If you watch us train, he is still running lead lines and running into space," Seibold said.

"I think he is an ideal 13 for us at the moment and adds a great deal of experience to our middles. We have a younger group that is still developing and learning, and taking baby steps in some ways, so having Gillo as a bit of a rock for that group is really important for us.

"He is a really good defender individually and adds a whole heap of work rate to our group. I coach to effort areas.

"They are the non-talent required areas of our game where he is outstanding."

Seibold said the enthusiasm and aggression 19-year-old prop Flegler displayed in three trials had earned him a debut and backed five-eighth Anthony Milford to take on the responsibility of being a key playmaker after recovering from a hamstring injury.