Joe Ofahengaue

Walters oversaw his first training session in charge of the Broncos on Monday and was glowing in his praise of Pangai after the controversial forward performed strongly in a time trial with other players, including former Sharks and Titans playmaker Albert Kelly.

Former Papua New Guinea captain David Mead, who has been playing with Catalans in the Super League, is in negotiations with Brisbane and Walters believes he and Kelly – on a train and trial contract after four years with Hull FC – will provide experience in the backs.

The injury means he will be unavailable for Origin II in Perth on June 23 and giving him little time to prove his fitness for the Holden State of Origin series finale in Sydney on July 10.

Newcastle veteran Tim Glasby, Storm forward Christian Welch, Titans prop Jarrod Wallace and Sharks forward Kurt Capewell would be the main candidates to replace Ofahengaue on Queensland's bench.

Broncos halfback Thomas Dearden limped from the field at Suncorp Stadium early on Sunday with a syndesmosis injury. 

Ofahengaue will travel with Brisbane to New Zealand to take on the Warriors on Saturday and he will have a point to prove after a forgettable performance this time last year. 

It was a cold Auckland afternoon when the Broncos travelled to Mt Smart Stadium to take on the New Zealand Warriors in Round 13 of the 2016 season. 

The match took place just days after Origin I, and a depleted Brisbane were forced to travel across the ditch without Corey Oates, Matt Gillett and injured hooker Andrew McCullough.