New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has rolled the dice on his biggest selection gamble to date and fans are left stunned and confused ahead of the home state opener on May 31.
The eccentric Blues coach is no stranger to controversy, relegating Damien Cook to the bench and bringing Daniel Saifiti out of the Origin wilderness in the past.
But his call to bring in Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior has left many scratching their heads – including the striker himself.
‘I’m shocked, just like you. It’s a big dream of mine to play Origin and hopefully I get to play,” said Pangai Junior this morning.
We [Canterbury] building a strong team and hopefully this will attract more players to come to the Bulldogs.
Amazingly, Pangai Junior actually grew up supporting Queensland and turned down a chance to play for NSW in 2018 when it clashed with a mid-season test involving Tonga.
‘As a child I just went to Queensland. I loved Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis. They were all my favorite players,” he said at the time.
“There was a time there when I lived in Newcastle and my brother [Mosese Pangai] was with the Cowboys and I was trying to say to my parents, ‘Let’s move to Queensland’ so I can try and play for Queensland.”
He reiterated his admiration for Queensland in 2019, saying “I’m going for Queensland, I’m a supporter of Queensland, if”[then-coach] Kevvie’ [Walters] needs someone to run against me (at Maroons training), I’m available’.’
Pangai Junior was stunned when he heard of his selection – and he was far from alone
Fittler, pictured with former champion Maroons Johnathan Thurston, has taken some big risks in an attempt to beat a strong Queensland side
Some fans thought the selection of Pangai Junior was a case of mistaken identity and that South Sydney prop Tevita Tatola should have been called up
Many New South Wales fans were shocked by the decision, with some saying Pangai Junior isn’t even the best prop on his team.
They may have a point, with Bulldog Max King averaging 123 yards per game, including nearly 42 post-contact yards, along with 38 tackles per game at 94.8 percent efficiency.
Pangai Junior is averaging 129 yards per game, 42 post-contact yards and 25 tackles per game at 90.0 percent efficiency.
Others joked that Fittler called the wrong Tevita, saying Tevita Tatola, a South Sydney prop, should have gotten the call.
“If Freddy goes to the bank with Tevita, something will happen. Whether it’s good or not, who knows.¿
— Matty Johns on Tevita Pangai Jr.’s NSW Blues roster@SENLeague #NRL
— Mornings with Matty White (@MattyWhiteSEN) May 21, 2023
Tevita Pangai Jr is going to play for the Blues, think our injury crisis is bad.
Have we tried cloning Payne Haas yet?— William Wood (@TheWilliamWood) May 21, 2023
Raging Parramatta striker Reagan Campbell-Gillard was unavailable with a groin injury, while players like Daniel Saifiti, former Kangaroos representative Jordan McLean and former Blues players David Klemmer and Jack de Belin were overlooked.
Second-rowers controversially left out include irate Sea Eagles striker Haumole Olakau’atu and Roosters star Angus Crichton, while South Sydney firefighter Keaon Koloamatangi remains injured.
Former Blues and Newcastle star Matthew Johns said it would be a lottery how Pangai was used from the bench.
“When Freddy goes to the bank with Tevita, something happens. Whether it’s good or not, who knows?’ he said on SEN.
It could be a career-defining risk from the Blues coach, who is under pressure after his star-studded Blues lost the final series to Queensland.
Fittler said he felt the 2022 squad was being bullied by the Queensland pack and needed to make changes.
“We had to make big calls,” Fittler told Channel Nine.
Newcastle supporter Daniel Saifiti, centre, was unlucky not to have been called up by Blues coach Brad Fittler
North Queensland Cowboys and former Australian forward Jordan McLean, at center, was picked by the Blues last year, but an injury ruled him out. This time he wasn’t so lucky
“We had a couple of back rowers – Angus [Crichton] and Liam Martin – who hadn’t played for most of the year. I’ve been a fan of Tevita for a long time – very skilled, tough dude.
“I like what they are doing in Canterbury at the moment. They don’t win every game, but what they do is they don’t give up.
“When I see what he’s doing off the ball, I think it’s great that he’s becoming a much better player. If Tevita can improve those parts of his game, the talent part is already there.”
Fittler also admitted it was a tough call when he told Cook he didn’t make the cut because he preferred West’s rake Apisai Koroisau.
“Looking at the last few weeks, I think Api’s form, his relationship with a few players on our team – there have been long relationships through big games,” Fittler said.
“Cooky is in such good shape. I called him last night about footy… and assured me that if anything were to happen, he’s our man if anything goes wrong.”