Brisbane prop Payne Haas is relishing the prospect of reuniting with David Fifita but warned he wouldn't be attempting to persuade the hulking back-rower back to the Broncos.
Fifita is off contract at the end of this season and has yet to recommit his future to the Gold Coast Titans.
Canberra have shown interest in the Tongan international but Brisbane may now consider themselves a contender after seeing Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth agree to deals with the Dolphins for 2024.
Fifita began his NRL career at the Broncos in 2018 before switching to the Gold Coast in 2021 on a deal estimated to be worth $1.2million per season.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has been in contact with Fifita but it's understood Brisbane would only entertain a deal for the Queenslander if it was at a reduced rate.
It's a thought which excites Haas, who helped the Broncos get their NRL season off to a flyer with a 13-12 win over Penrith on Friday.
"I don't want to be that mate who tells him what to do, he's old enough to make his own decisions," Haas said.
"We'd love to have a player like him back.
"But at the end of the day it's his decision.
"He's one of a kind player and I can't speak highly enough of him, he's one of my best mates.
"You can't leave someone like David Fifita out of your team.
"I'd love to play with Dave again, like I said we won't be here telling him what to do."
Haas showed no signs of rust in the Broncos' victory on Friday, making 170 metres as he outpointed the Panthers' front-row duo of James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.
It has been a difficult off-season for the 23-year-old, who passed up a spot in Australia's World Cup squad and has spent time away from the club due to his mother's ongoing court case.
"It was pretty hard to pull out of the World Cup, I had my shoulder problems and some off-field stuff," Haas said.
"I wanted to come out for a big game in round one this year.
"I wasn't happy with how I finished last year and we knew our defence had to be top notch, especially to win here at Penrith."
