Tevita Pangai Junior has opened up on his controversial comments as he pursued a boxing career, declaring ”don’t believe all that stuff they’re saying in the media”.
The former State of Origin forward will make his long awaited return to the NRL with the Dolphins on Friday against the Storm, with coach Wayne Bennett picking him on the bench.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for Pangai having retired last year with the Bulldogs and stating his parents forced rugby league on him.
READ MORE: Teenage athlete dies weeks before Olympic debut
READ MORE: Pitch invader learns fate after ‘inexcusable’ drunken act
READ MORE: Classy final message as Cody Simpson calls it quits
“I feel like rugby league was forced on me as a kid. I didn’t really want to play league or footy as a kid, my parents forced me into it because I’m Polynesian and that’s what we do. We’re big, we’re solid and we run into people,” he told 9news Sydney last year.
“I’ve always been a fan of Choc (Anthony Mundine), I always watched his fights as a kid and I want to try my hand at an individual sport and I feel like that’s what I want to do.
“Parents trying to force their kids to play something, maybe let them pursue what they want to pursue.”
However, speaking ahead of his Dolphins debut, Pangai admitted he made those comments to bring interest to his boxing career.
“Anyone who truly knows me, I love footy, I watch a lot of games on the weekend,” he told media.
“As you know in boxing, it’s a show business and you do what you want to sell tickets and rugby league’s the number one sport in Australia and I just thought if I can get some fans across and be controversial … that’s how they make their money, it’s a struggling sport at the moment but hopefully I can use my platform to showcase some of the younger talent in the boxing arena.”
The comments around his love of rugby league weren’t the only controversial ones he made.
Ahead of the Battle on the Reef in October last year, Pangai declared: “I’m sick of taking orders off halfbacks and coaches.”
The forward revealed having front-rowers like Junior Paulo, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Reagan Campbell-Gillard sitting next to him was the reason he said that.
“We were all front-rowers, we get blamed for everything, they kick the ball dead, it’s our fault,” he joked.
“It was a bit of banter and we’ve got to sell tickets, our salary’s set as a rugby league player but as a boxer you’ve got to bring in revenue.
“The two best to do it were obviously controversial, (Anthony) Mundine and Gal (Paul Gallen). Obviously hate sells better. You know, you’re in the media.”
For Pangai, a comeback to rugby league has been brewing ever since he returned to Queensland.
He was spotted at Broncos training at one stage and was a guest of the Dolphins at a game.
The forward had been plying his trade for Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup during the year and in his first game received praise from coach Karmichael Hunt.
However, Bennett wasn’t impressed at the time.
“I saw the game as well, I wasn’t as impressed as his coach,” Bennett said.
“I know Tevita very well, I know what he can do. He is a wonderful player and I’ve got a lot of time from him … he can play.”
Pangai believes Bennett was challenging him.
“I think it was more just where my heart was at,” he said.
“Obviously I took some time away from the game, did some boxing and that was very fun but Wayne just wanted to make sure I was 100 per cent committed to playing under him and playing with the Dolphins. I can only show that with my performances.”
With Bennett leaving for the Rabbitohs next year, Pangai was coy when asked if he’d like to follow the legendary coach.
“I’d like to stay in Queensland a lot longer, see what happens.
“I’m just very fortunate for the opportunity I’ve got under Wayne and the club.
“… Like the great Billy Slater says I’m just worried about where my feet are at the moment so I’ll just worry about today … when I look too far ahead that’s when I’ve run into a lot of dramas so I’m just worried about the Storm this week and we’ll see how we go after that. Obviously I play my best footy under Wayne, we’ll see what happens.”
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
“… I can’t say right now, I’m just happy to be back under Wayne and if it’s only for three months I’ll enjoy it as much as I can.”
As for Pangai’s motivation to return, the 28-year-old put it down to the coach and once again moved to quash his previous comments about falling out of love with the game.
“I said those things just to sell tickets so now you know, I told you the secret, don’t believe all that stuff they’re saying in the media,” he laughed.
As for what Bennett will be doing to get the best out of his new signing?
“Keep my job simple, I’m a footballer so I don’t need many instructions, just tell me you love me and that’s it, I’ll play my best footy for you mate.”