Mystery hangs around big name Bulldog Tevita Pangai Junior after he spent long spells on the bench during Canterbury‘s 16-6 loss to Newcastle in the opening match of Magic Round.
Pangai was a notable omission for most of the second half, and had only just come back onto the field in the closing stages of the match when his effort was questioned as Knights halfback Adam Clune strolled in for an easy try.
After receiving the ball on the right edge it looked like Clune was running into a dead end, but he changed direction and targeted a sluggish Pangai, who was unable to get across to close a hole in the defensive line.
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Fox League commentator Corey Parker slammed Pangai’s positioning, saying he had “missed his assignment”.
Earlier in the second half, as Pangai cooled his heels on the sideline, Fox League reporter Jake Duke inquired as to why the star prop had not been reinjected into the action.
“I asked the question about Tevita Pangai Junior, they tell me there is nothing wrong with him – no injury, no illness – so he’s just not out there for a tactical reason,” he said.
The confusion surrounding Pangai only escalated as scoring became more urgent for the Bulldogs.
“Well Pangai Junior is still sitting on the bench. With 13 minutes remaining you need your big stars in,” Parker said.
By that point the Knights should have already wrapped up victory, having bombed several golden chances to add to their lead.
Coming off seven straight losses, Newcastle struck early in the first half off the back of a Kalyn Ponga penalty goal from right in front of the sticks.
The penalty goal was a gift after Paul Vaughan got a bit overzealous in his tackle of Leo Thompson, lifting the prop and dumping him.
While that incident didn’t result in an injury, hearts were momentarily in mouths later in the match when Corey Waddell was helped off the ground after being knocked out in a nasty clash.
Play was stopped momentarily so he could received treatment.
Waddell put his head in the wrong position as he went to make a tackle and he rocked back as it made contact with the ball-carrier’s hip.
He was later back on his feet and walked with the trainers off the ground.
After the game Knights prop David Klemmer labelled his side’s recent efforts “embarrassing” but backed them to turn around their form after getting back in the winner’s circle.
Told it was an ugly win, Klemmer replied: “Bloody oath,” but said that was the kind of win the Knights needed.