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Brisbane's Tevita Pangai Junior is embracing his "second chance" in the NRL and a blossoming friendship with dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams.

A bromance with Sonny Bill Williams and fresh memories of long days labouring in the sun are keeping Brisbane enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior on track during what he calls is his NRL second chance.

The talented forward was close to losing his rich Broncos deal after multiple COVID-19 breaches, which included a visit to a barber shop with alleged bikie links, prompted a $30,000 fine and indefinite stand-down by the NRL last year.

While a potent on-field threat, Pangai had also been suspended for 14 weeks over the previous two seasons and Brisbane's patience had worn thin.

The club ordered the 25-year-old to work full time for a nursery as part of a punishment that obviously served it's purpose.

"I just don't want to go and work in the garden for eight hours; I really enjoy the pay and being around the boys," he said when asked what was motivating his reform.

This season he has arguably been the Broncos' best player, deployed in the back row and assigned the toughest defensive tasks.

But he said the football aspect of his NRL existence had never been an issue, pointing instead to his blossoming friendship with former dual-code star Sonny Bill Williams for off-field changes.

"What I did wrong last year with breaching protocol ... it was a good time to self reflect on five years in the NRL and some of the dumb things I did and said," Pangai said.

"Just trying to hang out with good people and I've got pretty close to Sonny and he's been helping me a lot off the field.

"Footy comes naturally to me, so the big thing is Monday to Thursday.

"(Sonny) had trouble early in his career but he's a perfect example of how you can get yourself out of it.

"People can change and that's what the game gives, second chances and I'm just thankful (ARL Commission chairman) Peter V'landys and the (Broncos) board have given me a second chance."

Brisbane recorded their greatest comeback win on Friday to overocome Gold Coast and improve to 2-6 before Saturday's meeting with North Queensland (3-5).

Pangai hopes he'll see plenty of Cowboys gun Jason Taumalolo despite moving to an edge this season.

"I'm pretty happy there; I like the battles you can have out there with (Viliame) Kikau and (David) Fifita," he said.

"The NRL are trying to speed up the game but there's nothing better than a couple of heavyweights going at it."