Brisbane mentor Anthony Seibold has seen enough of Tevita Pangai Junior as an opposition coach to trust him with a round one berth despite his hobbled NRL pre-season.
The exciting forward has battled hamstring issues throughout his young career and had Broncos fans holding their breath when he limped off early in a trial game last month.
The setback meant the destructive and versatile forward has only clocked 18 minutes of game time this off-season.
But Seibold has backed the 23-year-old to run out, or at least start on the bench, in Melbourne next Thursday after fears of serious injury were allayed.
"From our rehab and medical staff he will be (fit to play) ... they don't have any concerns," Seibold said.
"I think Tevita's proven himself to be an NRL player, so if he's fit and available he'll be in that 17 somewhere."
Pangai Junior and five-eighth Anthony Milford (hamstring) were due to train at Red Hill on Tuesday after both were rested from Saturday's comeback trial defeat of the Gold Coast.
Seibold said he had a "good idea" of his best 17 for the blockbuster premiership opener against the Storm.
Returning second-rower Matt Gillett was reintroduced in Broncos colours as a lock on Saturday and Seibold admitted they could persist with the Australian representative through the middle of the park rather than the edges this season.
He also vouched for emerging forward Thomas Flegler, who has impressed since front-runner Payne Haas's four-week NRL suspension opened the door.
Brisbane will field a relatively inexperienced pack for round one after the retirement of Sam Thaiday and exit of Josh McGuire to North Queensland.
Seibold said he had no doubt the Storm's established big men would be keen to make a statement against his men.
"I would think that those guys can't wait to have a crack at our forward pack," he said.
"It should be an exciting match-up; it's going to be an explosive game there through the middle."
