Candice Warner is shocked by footy star Tevita Pangai Jr’s ‘sad’ confession about how many friends he has left in the NRL

Tevita Pangai Junior’s candid account of how close he is to former teammates and coaches after his well-publicized retirement from the NRL has shocked Candice Warner.

The soccer star dropped a bombshell when he announced he was quitting rugby league in August to pursue a career in boxing.

The former Origin star admitted there has been little communication with anyone involved in the game since walking away from his lucrative Bulldogs contract.

“I’ve heard from maybe two players and the manager since I’ve left, it’s all bullsh*t,” he said on Triple M Rocks Footy.

Warner was taken aback by the revelation from Pangai Junior.

Tevita Pangai Junior says he has only heard from a few former teammates since he retired

‘Is this true?’ she remarked.

“You were in a team sport for the Dogs and heard about two of your former players?

“That’s sad.”

Pangai Junior went on to add, “In total, I can count on two hands that I’m still friends with in the game. All this brotherhood talk … It’s fake.

‘People hate the truth. This is the truth.’

He further explained that he does not like to take orders from others.

‘Everybody does (they don’t like to be told what to do). Even Wayne (Bennett) does that, that’s why he was dropped by the Broncos, who wants to answer on a board?’ he said.

“I just like to tell it like it is. People I look up to, you think Gus (Gould) wants to answer a board and his foot IQ is higher than them? It’s madness.’

Pangai Junior survived a major scare at the weekend to win his first boxing fight since making the move to retire from rugby league.

Candice Warner described the former football star’s bitter confession as sad

Pangai won a six-round slugfest on Saturday night against Frank Amato – proving he has what it takes to try and make a punch of a boxing career.

He stole the headlines at the pre-match press conference on the Battle on the Reef card, issuing a warning to his opponent and critics.

“I’m here to prove my doubters and haters wrong,” he said.

“The media is always telling me what to do. I’m tired of taking orders from quarterbacks and coaches.

‘Make sure you’re ready.’

Pangai Junior told Daily Mail Australia that he plans to emulate his hero Mundine’s career – and sees himself finding even more success than his idol.

“The main thing about me leaving (the NRL) is that I want to be my own boss,” he said.

“I love Choc, but I want to be bigger than him. If I’m not trying to get through it, what am I doing it for!

“Thanks to Choc, but I want to be the biggest name in boxing in Australia.”