Blues rookie reveals truth behind 'immature moment'

1 year ago 108

Tevita Pangai Junior has addressed past interviews wherever helium spoke of his enactment for Queensland arsenic the Bulldogs prop prepares for his NSW Origin debut.

The erstwhile Bronco and Panther antecedently said successful 2018 that "as a kid I conscionable went for Queensland" and doubled down successful 2019 by stating "If 'Kevvie' (Walters) needs anyone to tally against maine (at Maroons training), I'm available".

Now the 27-year-old volition person a accidental to rectify those comments aft helium was a shock selection successful Brad Fitter's side, owed to the withdrawal of Jake Trbojevic.

Pangai Junior explained to 9News, his erstwhile confederation was owed to increasing up admiring Queensland's heroes.

Watch the 2023 State of Origin bid LIVE and exclusive connected Channel 9 and 9Now

"I looked up to Greg Inglis, helium was my favourite subordinate arsenic a kid, him and Israel Folau, so I conjecture I was conscionable pursuing the players I loved arsenic a kid," helium said.

"When I started playing for New South Wales erstwhile I was 14, playing for them successful schoolboys and the inferior reps, I don't deliberation I fto the authorities down truthful I hopefully I bash that successful the apical level arsenic well."

"My bosom says I'm a Blue."

Tevita Pangai Junior speaks to the media. (Getty)

Fittler besides addressed Pangai Junior's erstwhile comments, stating it's each been enactment down him now.

"Prior to that comment we had an emerging campy and that was the archetypal clip I met Tevita and helium was precise passionate astir New South Wales ... I conscionable deliberation the unit of what Origin does to players caught him retired during the mediate of that twelvemonth and helium conscionable had an immature moment, I've spoken to him astir it," helium told Nine's 100% Footy.

The Bulldogs prop has appeared successful six games this season, having joined the nine successful 2022 erstwhile helium played 19 matches.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 unrecorded and escaped on 9Now

Known for his aggression, Pangai Junior wasn't considered to beryllium a apt inclusion successful the squad but volition present signifier the nucleus of NSW's guardant battalion for the opening lucifer astatine Adelaide Oval.

Freddy talks astir TPJ

Fittler explained however a fig of factors persuaded him to spell with the debutant.

"The happening I similar astir him astatine the infinitesimal is he's portion of a squad that ne'er gives up, I similar what helium does disconnected the ball, I've ever seen him arsenic idiosyncratic that has the imaginable to beryllium an interaction subordinate and bash immense plays," helium said.

"What I spot is simply a bloke that cares astir his team, tries to screen for his squad and that's thing that's precise important successful State of Origin.

"I deliberation we each realise there's imaginable and present we get a accidental to spot it connected a bigger signifier and I deliberation Canterbury are helping him retired astatine the infinitesimal with his crippled and his temperament."

Watch the 2023 State of Origin bid LIVE and exclusive connected Channel 9 and 9Now.

Pangai Junior was besides pressed connected 9news astir his relation successful the broadside and fto his Queensland opponents cognize helium won't beryllium taking a backward step.

"I emotion investigating myself against the champion and I'll bash that adjacent Wednesday," helium said.

"I deliberation the champion mode to instrumentality connected bullies is beryllium a bully."

Canterbury Bulldogs wide manager Phil Gould added connected 100% Footy that Pangai Junior's progression astatine the nine has him successful bully stead.

Freddy, Billy reply pugnacious questions astir Origin I squads

"I deliberation it's an inspired choice, I deliberation Tevita's travel a agelong mode successful the past 12 months astatine the Bulldogs, peculiarly his attraction to item successful defence," helium said.

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"He's a batch fitter, he's a batch much squad minded and that's what Freddy was truly looking for successful this broadside and he's besides got impact."

Gould added helium doesn't judge the enforcer rubric should beryllium bestowed upon the 27-year-old.

"What I don't similar is he's been touted present arsenic immoderate benignant of enforcer oregon aggressor and he's going to spell retired determination and rip heads off, by radical successful the media, who are trying to play up Origin," helium said.

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