‘Strong addition’: TPJ makes shock NRL return as Bennett’s Dolphins land ex-boxer
An NRL club has announced Tevita Pangai Junior will join the team for the remainder of the 2024 season after his brief foray into boxing.
The Dolphins have announced Tevita Pangai Junior will join the club’s NRL squad for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The 28-year-old will reportedly transfer from Queensland Cup side Souths Logan Magpies next week and begin training with the Dolphins on Monday.
He will then be eligible to take the field in the NRL once again in Round 15, having previously retired from rugby league to pursure a boxing career.
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“I am really looking forward to Tevita getting back on the field and I am so glad it is with the Dolphins,” Wayne Bennett said in a club statement.
“He is a good player that I have always enjoyed coaching, and I think he will be a strong addition to our squad.”
Pangai Junior has ties with Bennett, with the super coach originally recruiting the middle forward to play for the Broncos in 2016.
He then played for the Panthers and Bulldogs before departing the NRL for boxing.
“I am very much looking forward to being coached by both Wayne and Kristian Woolf as I have a long history with both of them,” Pangai Junior said.
“I am excited about being back in the NRL again and re-establishing myself as a full-time NRL player, as well as being part of what the Dolphins could do this season.”
SLOAN EXTENDS
The Dragons have handed fullback Tyrell Sloan a two-year extension, keeping him at the Red V club until the end of the 2026 season.
The 22-year-old has already played 48 games for the St George Illawarra club, having made his debut during the 2021 season.
Sloan earned hefty praise from head coach Shane Flanagan, having scored eight times so far in 12 games this season.
“Tyrell’s an exciting young player who continues to learn and improve every week,” he said in a club statement.
“His efforts to improve all parts of his game this year have been really pleasing.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him continue to develop at the Dragons over the coming seasons.”
O’DONNELL’S COWBOYS RETURN
The North Queensland Cowboys have announced the signing of Kai O’Donnell for 2025, with the young gun now eyeing his first NRL appearance since 2020.
Born in Brisbane, O’Donnell failed to break through at the Cowboys academy and then the Titans before moving to the Raiders where he debuted in 2020.
After making just four appearances for the Green Machine, the second-rower moved to the UK in 2022 to join the Leigh Leopards.
He guided Leigh to the Super League in his maiden campaign before winning the Challenge Cup in 2023, and managed 23 tries in 62 appearances across three seasons.
Despite signing a two-year contract extension with the English club last August - the week of that Challenge Cup triumph at Wembley - O’Donnell has now inked a two-year deal with the Cowboys.
It marks a remarkable NRL return for the 25-year-old.
SAAB’S NEW DEAL
Manly winger Jason Saab has signed a bumper new deal which will keep him on Sydney’s northern beaches until the end of 2029.
The news is somewhat of a surprise, considering Saab was already under contract with the Sea Eagles until the end of the 2026 season.
However, the move is an obvious indication that Manly think very highly of the 23-year-old, whose best form is still ahead of him.
“The improvement Jason has shown over the last 18 months is significant. I believe he can now become an elite winger and a representative class winger,’’ Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said.
“It’s within reach. He has always had the potential. We’ve seen ‘Saaby’ score some great tries since he has come into first grade but I think the consistency in his game has grown.
“That’s his biggest area of improvement, he has become a really consistent NRL player and I know he can become an elite winger.”
Saab is the fourth Sea Eagle to lock down a long-term deal with the club beyond 2026, with second rower Haumole Olakau’atu inking a six-year extension through to 2031.
Former Tiger Luke Brooks is signed with the club until the end of 2027, as is the versatile Ben Trbojevic.
Saab has so far endured an injury-ravaged season in 2024, having only played in six games out of a possible 12.
For the season, he’s scored two tries, recorded five linebreaks and 15 tackle busts while averaging 132 running metres a game.
PANTHERS EXTEND UNDERRATED FORWARD
Elsewhere, the Panthers have bolstered their forward stocks by re-signing the reliable Luke Garner on a two-year deal.
Garner had been in terrific form before suffering a leg injury, scoring two tries in Penrith’s big win over South Sydney and proving a capable starter in Scott Sorensen’s absence.
The former Tiger said in a statement that it “means a lot” to extend with the defending premiers.
“Ivan Cleary gave me my NRL debut back in the day and then it was special to win a grand final with him last year,” Garner said.
“To stick around here for another two years is pretty exciting. It’s great to see where this club is going and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
Panthers General Manager of Rugby League Shane Elford, meanwhile, said the club is “thrilled” to have secured Garner’s signature for another two years.
“Luke has made a positive influence to our club both on and off the field since joining us last season,” Elford said.
“Not only is Luke a talented and reliable footballer, but he’s also an impressive man who lives out the values we share at the Panthers.”
SEA EAGLES NAB FORMER TIGER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
The Sea Eagles have announced the signing of former Tigers hooker Jake Simpkin to join the club on a three-year deal, effective immediately.
Simpkin was struggling for playing time this season behind Api Koroisau, and was granted a release from the Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Manly will name Simpkin in their side to take on the Panthers this weekend.
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold says Simpkin will “add some depth in the hooking role”.
We are very pleased to welcome Jake to Manly. He is a quality player who has already gained plenty of experience in the NRL for a young man,’’ said Seibold via a club-issued statement.
“We feel this is a very good addition to our playing group.”
Simpkin is reportedly the first of a number of players the club are expected to let leave before the end of the 2024 season as they prepare to lock down forward Stefano Utoikamanu.
The Simpkin news come as reports emerge that the Tigers have reportedly tabled a massive five-year extension to the Utoikamanu worth $4 million.
He becomes a free agent unless he plays two Origin games for the Blues this season, however that contract clause isn’t activated if the Tigers play finals football.
Originally published as ‘Strong addition’: TPJ makes shock NRL return as Bennett’s Dolphins land ex-boxer
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