{"id":299255,"date":"2023-05-22T12:02:34","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T12:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=299255"},"modified":"2023-05-22T15:00:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T15:00:48","slug":"pangai-jr-reveals-truth-behind-immature-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=299255","title":{"rendered":"Pangai Jr reveals truth behind 'immature moment'"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tevita Pangai Junior<\/a> has addressed past interviews where he spoke of his support for Queensland<\/a> as the Bulldogs prop prepares for his NSW Origin<\/a> debut.<\/p>\n

The former Bronco and Panther previously said in 2018 that "as a kid I just went for Queensland" and doubled down in 2019 by stating "If 'Kevvie' (Walters) needs anyone to run against me (at Maroons training), I'm available".<\/p>\n

Now the 27-year-old will have a chance to rectify those comments after he was a shock selection<\/a> in Brad Fitter<\/a>'s side, due to the withdrawal of Jake Trbojevic. \ufeff<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Souths take veiled swipe at NSW over brutal snub<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Slater lifts lid on 'tough phone calls' to axed stars<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Fury's Aussie promise after hijacking press conference<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Pangai Junior explained to 9News, his previous alliance was due to growing up admiring Queensland's heroes. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and<\/strong><\/em> <\/em>9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

"I looked up to Greg Inglis, he was my favourite player as a kid, him and Israel Folau, \ufeffso I guess I was just following the players I loved as a kid," he said.<\/p>\n

"When I started playing for New South Wales when I was 14, playing for them in schoolboys and the junior reps, I don't think I let the state down so I hopefully I do that in the top level as well."<\/p>\n

"My heart says I'm a Blue."\ufeff<\/p>\n

\"Tevita<\/p>\n

Fittler also addressed Pangai Junior's previous comments, stating it's all been put behind him now. \ufeff<\/p>\n

"Prior to that \ufeffcomment we had an emerging camp and that was the first time I met Tevita and he was very passionate about New South Wales … I just think the pressure of what Origin does to players caught him out during the middle of that year and he just had an immature moment, I've spoken to him about it," he told Nine's 100% Footy<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Bulldogs prop has appeared in six games this season, having joined the club in 2022 when he played 19 matches.<\/p>\n

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\ufeffKnown for his aggression, Pangai Junior wasn't considered to be a likely inclusion in the squad but will now form the nucleus of NSW's forward pack for the opening match at Adelaide Oval.<\/p>\n

\"Freddy<\/p>\n

Fittler explained how a number of factors persuaded him to go with the debutant. \ufeff<\/p>\n

"The thing I like about him at the moment is he's part of a team that never gives up, I like what he does off the ball, I've always seen him as someone that has the potential to be an impact player and do huge plays," he said.<\/p>\n

"What I see is a bloke that cares about his team, tries to cover for his team and that's something that's very important in State of Origin.<\/p>\n

"I think we all realise there's potential and now we get a chance to see it on a bigger stage and I think Canterbury are helping him out at the moment with his game and his temperament."<\/p>\n

Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Pangai Junior was also pressed on 9news about his role in the side and let his Queensland opponents know he won't be taking a backward step. \ufeff<\/p>\n

"I love testing myself against \ufeffthe best and I'll do that next Wednesday," he said.<\/p>\n

"I think the best way to take on bullies is be a bully."\ufeff<\/p>\n

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould added on 100% Footy\ufeff<\/em> that Pangai Junior's progression at the club has him in good stead.<\/p>\n

\"Freddy,<\/p>\n

"I think it's an inspired choice, I think Tevita's come a long way in the last 12 months at the Bulldogs, particularly his attention to detail in defence," he said.<\/p>\n

100% Footy is now available as a podcast! Subscribe\/follow via<\/strong><\/em> Apple<\/strong><\/em><\/a>,<\/strong><\/em> Spotify<\/strong><\/em><\/a> or<\/strong><\/em> Google Podcasts<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

"He's a lot fitter, he's a lot more team minded and that's what Freddy was really looking for in this side and he's also got impact."<\/p>\n

Gould added he doesn't believe the enforcer title should be bestowed upon the 27-year-old. \ufeff<\/p>\n

"What I don't like is \ufeffhe's been touted now as some sort of enforcer or aggressor and he's going to go out there and rip heads off, by people in the media, who are trying to play up Origin," he said.<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tevita Pangai Junior has addressed past interviews where he spoke of his support for Queensland as the Bulldogs prop prepares for his NSW Origin debut. […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":299257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299255"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=299255"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":299260,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299255\/revisions\/299260"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/299257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=299255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=299255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=299255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}