State of Origin: Why Brad Fittler must avoid picking Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior
NSW were beaten in the ‘unlosable’ series only seven months ago. Picking a player who only three years ago said ‘let’s move to Queensland’ would prove the Blues haven’t learned a thing.
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Don’t do it Brad Fittler.
Don’t ask Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior to stand-up in front of a room full of NSW players, coaches and staff members so he can explain why he loves the Blues.
Don’t do it Freddy.
For yourself, the state and Pangai Junior.
In a circle, is the way most Blues Origin camps start.
With every NSW Origin debutant asked to stand and talk about what the Blues jumper means to them while surrounded by the teammates they’ll soon go into battle with against arch rivals Queensland.
Some are so nervous they stutter.
Some beat their chests and swear that they’ll play like they may never lace a boot up again.
Some cry, while some use the names of their heroes to prove how far their love goes back.
James Tedesco’s favourite State of Origin player of all-time remains current NSW coach Brad Fittler.
Not surprisingly, Nathan Cleary’s favourite ever Blue is Andrew Johns.
Rugby league’s runaway besser block, Tyson Frizell — believe it or not — possesses a soft spot; and it’s there that you’ll find him talking about former Blues hero Shaun Timmins.
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As for Pangai Jr, the potential Blues 2021 series debutant?
“As a kid I just went for Queensland. I loved Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis. They were all my favourite players.
“There was a time there where I was living in Newcastle and my brother [Mosese Pangai] was at the Cowboys and I was trying to tell my parents, ‘let’s move to Queensland’ so I could try and [qualify to] play for Queensland.”
These quotes are from a 2018 interview Pangai Jr conducted with the NRL where he discussed his decision to make himself available for Tonga ahead of playing for NSW that same year.
They’re not the only example of the 25-year-old’s fondness for the colour Maroon.
After the Tongan International was stood down indefinitely and fined $30,000 by the NRL in relation to “multiple contraventions” of the Covid-19 biosecurity protocols last year, NSW team advisor Greg Alexander spoke about the moment he began to question Pangai Junior’s alliance.
“There was a time back in 2018, it was Origin three, we brought a couple of the Brisbane players into our camp. They spent the final day of camp with us before the game,” Alexander said.
“Then I saw Tevita the following year getting interviewed. Now Tevita didn’t make the 2019 side, I think he was suspended and there was a bit of inconsistent form.
“But in that interview leading into an Origin game that year, the journalist [asked]: ‘you’re a New South Welshman, you’re a Newcastle boy, do you hope New South Wales win?’. “He said no ‘I’m going for Queensland, I’m a Queensland supporter, if Kevvie needs anyone to run against me (at Maroons training), I’m available’.
“That wasn’t the smartest thing for Tevita to be saying. If ever he wanted to play Origin, you don’t think you’d be saying something like that.”
Due to the unavailability of first-choice Blues forwards through injury or suspension of Payne Haas, Victor Radley and Angus Crichton, on top of the decision to dismiss Boyd Cordner from calculations, Pangai Junior’s name has been mentioned within the Blues inner-circle.
A devastating ball-runner with an attacking offload, the 25-year-old can be everything the Blues need this series.
But he’s also someone that can’t be trusted on the field, as proven by his manic offloads and loose mentality which displayed little focus on possession for the Broncos in their heavy loss to Melbourne last Friday night.
To Pangai Junior’s credit, he recently rang Fittler to apologise for his comments about wanting to play for Queensland and that if picked, he would rip and tear for the Blues jumper.
On SEN Radio on Friday, Alexander spoke of the possibility of Pangai Junior landing what would be a stunning backflip of allegiances.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” he said.
“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.
“I think sometimes defensively he might get caught out especially if it was Cameron Munster attacking the edges and the backrowers.
“Tevita, if he makes the side, it will be as a middle (forward), just power running and hopefully off-loading the ball, but being circumspect with those offloads.”
NSW were beaten in the ‘unlosable’ series only seven months ago by a Queensland team that as a collective, belied their ability at NRL level.
Surely the Blues have learned their lesson. The Blues need players who still take that series loss personally.
Not someone who once wished he was playing for the opposition.
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Originally published as State of Origin: Why Brad Fittler must avoid picking Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior
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