NRL 2021: How Wests Tigers botched chance to sign Brisbane Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr
Two key mistakes in the Wests Tigers’ pursuit of Tevita Pangai Jr have exposed the failings of the club’s recruitment strategy.
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The Wests Tigers’ indecisiveness over Tevita Pangai Jr and suggestions through the media that he wasn’t a good fit cost the club his signature.
In yet another recruitment blow for the Tigers, Pangai Jr phoned coach Michael Maguire on Tuesday to deliver the news that he was headed to the Canterbury Bulldogs on a three-year deal from 2022.
The Tongan international’s swift departure from the Broncos after six years also includes an immediate pit-stop at Penrith, where he will play for the remainder of the season.
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Pangai Jr could be named on the Panthers interchange bench on Tuesday to face title-favourites Melbourne next weekend. Otherwise, he will be on deck to take on the Sydney Roosters the following week.
The Bulldogs are rejoicing in their key acquisition but the story that continues to prove cruel is the Tigers recruitment process that has again fallen short.
It was reported in late-May by Fox Sports that the Tigers hierarchy had attempted a stealth-like mission to sign Pangai Jr and his Broncos teammate Jamayne Isaako.
The meeting was immediately hosed down by the Broncos, who claimed both players had merely met Maguire – the Kiwi Test coach – to discuss international football matters.
The Broncos also claimed the pair were in their plans for next season.
However, within the space of three weeks, Pangai Jr was told he had permission to negotiate with rival clubs – and possibly earn a release from the remainder of his 2021 and 2202 contract.
It was considered a given that the Tigers, having already commenced the recruitment process, would prove untroubled in getting the deal done.
However, on July 1, a Sydney journalist posted on Twitter that the Tigers, after doing “their homework” were no longer interested in Pangai Jr because he “wasn’t a good fit for them.’’
The post sent alarm bells to Pangai Jr.
Despite this, the Tigers then seemingly changed their mind again, believed to be at the behest of Maguire, who was determined to land the damaging forward.
Pangai Jr enjoyed his conversations with Maguire, but the young forward couldn’t ignore the messaging emanating out of the club.
That’s why the 25-year-old decided to break the news personally to Maguire that he was headed to Belmore.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis told News Corp the Tigers were disappointed to miss Pangai Jr.
“I’ll just echo Michael Maguire’s comments that Tevita is a quality player and he would’ve been a very nice addition to our roster, but it wasn’t meant to be,’’ Hagipantelis said.
“The club remains active in that space.”
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Originally published as NRL 2021: How Wests Tigers botched chance to sign Brisbane Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr
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