Tevita Pangai Junior‘s move to the Dolphins could be the “last chance” for the enforcer to save his NRL career – and there’s no better man than Wayne Bennett to help him.
After the shock decision to retire from rugby league last year, giving up a lucrative salary at the Bulldogs, the 28-year-old is back after a brief stint inside the boxing ring.
With key forwards Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert set to miss the remainder of the season and the Dolphins fighting for a finals spot, Pangai was signed on a short-term deal earlier this month and is expected to make his club debut in the coming weeks.
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Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, league great Darren Lockyer admitted while there were concerns over Pangai’s fitness, the Dolphins could be the best place for him.
“They are down on depth,” he said
“Flegler, while he gets through some work, he brings impact as well and I think they are probably lacking a little bit of that. Tevita has still got to get himself fit, but he’s played his best footy under Wayne [at the Broncos].
“He’s only got half a season under Wayne before he leaves, but it’s probably the best opportunity for him to get fit and play good footy again.
“The best man to do that is Wayne … but it’s up to Tevita too. He can say ‘This is my last chance under Wayne and I’ve got half a season and if I don’t find some form, my NRL career could be over’.
“I think a lot depends on how he goes over the next couple of months.”
Bennett will leave Redcliffe at the end of the year and if Pangai manages to find some form, the front-rower could be on the radar for the Rabbitohs to sign.
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With over 130 first grade games and an Origin appearance to his name, Pangai brings an extra boost of aggression and experience to the roster at the Dolphins, who are sitting inside the NRL’s top-four but still haven’t cemented themselves as a title threat.
Queensland legend Wally Lewis is confident Pangai can bring an edge to the side and Bennett’s aura will see him slot perfectly into the line-up.
“He [Bennett] is the guy who gets the best out of every player,” Lewis said.
“I’ve seen it throughout his career – but would he get the best out of this one? Yep.
“He [Pangai] seems to have everything that a footballer needs – he’s got power, he’s confrontational, he’s got everything that is required – but let’s see, time will tell.”
Pangai had been plying his trade for Souths Logan Magpies earlier in the year and had been linked with the Storm before signing on the dotted line with the Dolphins.