Origin 2021: Broncos star Tevita Pangai Jnr hoping for Blues forgiveness after ‘stupid comments’

Broncos powerhouse Tevita Pangai Jnr hopes he gets the chance to make an impact with NSW this year, but if not, ‘I will bide my time and keep trying to show Freddy I can do a job.’

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Tevita Pangai Junior of the Broncos looks dejected after his team loses the round 12 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, on May 27, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tevita Pangai Jnr insists he will not let NSW down if handed his Origin debut as the Broncos forward comes under fire for being a Blues traitor.

NSW coach Brad Fittler is considering Pangai Jnr for a Blues baptism following the absence of Victor Radley, Angus Crichton and skipper Boyd Cordner for the Origin series opener on Wednesday week.

But Pangai Jnr has come under fire from critics south of the border, who have not forgotten his comments in a 2018 interview urging his family to move to Queensland so he could qualify for the Maroons.

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Tevita Pangai hopes past sins have been forgiven.

A year later, Pangai Jnr was quoted saying: “I’m going for Queensland, I’m a Queensland supporter, if ‘Kevvie’ (Walters) needs anyone to run against me (at Maroons training), I’m available’.”

To compound the situation, Pangai Jnr has previously backflipped on the Blues, renouncing his ties to represent Tonga at the 2017 World Cup, only to have a change of heart last month after talks with his father, Tevita, senior.

Speaking on Sydney radio on Friday, Blues team advisor Greg Alexander said Pangai Jnr deserved a “second chance” and the Broncos hulk insists he would be totally committed to Fittler’s NSW cause.

“I would love to play Origin for NSW,” he said.

“It only works if I am playing good footy for the Broncos.

“I am in a good place off the field, I have spoken to ‘Freddy’ (Fittler) and he spoke to me about getting my defence in order, so I have worked on it.

“Hopefully I get a chance to make an impact this year, but if not I will bide my time and keep trying to break into the NSW team and show Freddy I can do the job in defence.”

Pangai Jnr has been in good form for the Broncos this season.

Pangai Jnr has produced some barnstorming displays in the back-row for Brisbane this season, but NSW hierarchy have some concerns about his poor offload selection, which could see him deployed in a midfield role.

“Everyone deserves a second chance,” Alexander told SEN.

“Tevita on his day can be a damaging player.

“I think you could set Tevita for a big game.

“Brad (Fittler) has spoken to Tevita about those comments regarding what he said about NSW and Queensland last year.

“But as I said, I think everyone deserves a second chance and that’s the way we’d be looking at it.

“I think Tevita would be a better middle (forward) in Origin than an edge player.

Pangai Jnr says he smoked the peace pipe with Brad Fittler.

“I think sometimes defensively he might get caught out, especially if it was Cameron Munster attacking the edges and the back-rowers.

“Tevita, if he makes the side, it will be as a middle (forward), just power running and hopefully offloading the ball, but being circumspect with those offloads.”

Pangai Jnr told News Corp last month he had smoked the peace pipe with Fittler.

“I said a few stupid things in the past around not playing Origin,” he said.

“I wish I listened to my dad at the time. He said not to rush a decision (on representative football) and now I’m hoping Freddy can throw my hat in the ring and I can put my hand up to play Origin for NSW.

“I’ve spoken to Freddy and I’ve apologised to him.

“I know what Origin is about, it’s about defence and being tough and carrying the ball strongly with minimal errors. If I get those silly defensive lapses out of my game, I’d like to think I can test myself in the toughest arena.”