Brisbane prop Martin Taupau admits he plays "good cop, bad cop" with ultra-aggressive fellow front-rower Thomas Flegler, but has one key piece of advice for the Dolphins-bound firebrand.
"He is a wild bull and that is exactly what we want him to be. Go out there and wreak havoc and have fun," Taupau said.
The 23-year-old Flegler will join the Dolphins next year but veteran Taupau is just looking forward to the season they will have together.
The duo will come off the bench in round one of the NRL against Penrith on Friday night at the home of the defending premiers.
Flegler has spent more time on the sidelines due to suspension than he or the Broncos would want. Taupau, no shrinking violet himself, said being an enforcer was a delicate balancing act.
"I have been through Tommy Flegler's position where I have boiled over too much and copped a few suspensions here and there. I think he has learned his (lessons)," Taupau said.
"It is not so much me telling him what to do. I guess it is all actions and seeing where he is comfortable and where he thinks it will help. He is doing well.
"He is slowly working on his aggression but you don't really want to take that away, especially in this game of dominance."
Flegler, who played one State of Origin game for Queensland in 2021, comes from a banana farming family in the north Queensland town of Tully.
Taupau is a fan.
"He has huge potential. He is a great kid and loves aggression," he said.
"He is a great athlete, super strong with footwork. He ticks off all the attributes as a front-rower.
"Obviously experience will come playing week-in and week-out but he is definitely one to keep an eye out for the rest of the year."
Flegler's move to the Dolphins could open up an opportunity for the 33-year-old Taupau to extend his one-year deal with the Broncos.
"It would be great but I have just got to put my head down and work hard, Taupau said.
" Hopefully there will be opportunities that come along with that but I can't really put all my energy into hoping and wishing for something that will happen. I have to work hard for it."
Taupau is relishing his time at the Broncos and excited by the talent he is playing with.
He said prop Payne Haas, 23, was a "freak" who could dominate the NRL for the next decade.
He regards 20-year-old Selwyn Cobbo, who will play fullback against the Panthers, as "a phenomenal talent ... in the mould of Greg Inglis".
"I have come into a squad being the eldest player but it feels like they have shaved off 10 years of my age," Taupau said.
"The culture at the club is phenomenal."
