Loose cannon? Madge will get best out of him’: Tamou backs Pangai to thrive at Tigers
By Christian Nicolussi
June 18, 2021 — 6.22pm
Wests Tigers skipper James Tamou knows Tevita Pangai Jr would thrive with a change of scenery and any concerns about his discipline, on and off the field, would quickly be ironed out by “no-nonsense” coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers first approached the Broncos six weeks ago about luring Pangai to the joint venture, only for Brisbane officials to pass.
Tevita Pangai Junior has opened up on his contract drama at Red Hill as he prepares to shop himself on the NRL market.
On Wednesday, the Broncos backflipped and told Pangai Jr he was free to find a deal elsewhere, and initially hoped the news would be kept quiet until after their 46-0 thrashing against South Sydney. Pangai himself admitted he was told on his day off to be told he could chase a deal elsewhere, even remarking in a post-match TV interview that “contracts don’t mean much these days”.
Brisbane gave Pangai’s management official permission to negotiate with rival clubs on Friday and the Tigers are viewed as the early favourites because of the interest they showed earlier this season.
Pangai is earning around $650,000 this year before the final year of his existing contract jumps closer to $800,000. Brisbane coach Kevin Walters remains hopeful of coaching his son Billy who is with the Tigers, and any swap deal with Pangai, along with any money the Broncos would pay towards the rest of his contract, would be favourable for the Tigers’ salary cap.
Pangai is one of the most devastating and explosive back-rowers in the game, but has been inconsistent and has a poor on-field disciplinary record.
He is facing a three-week ban for a crusher tackle on Cameron Murray on Thursday, an offence which would have normally carried a one-match ban had it not been for the Tongan international’s loading from previous offences.
Brait Anasta said on Thursday night’s Fox Sports coverage that the Tigers might be better chasing a senior player who is more reliable. “If I’m the Tigers, I’m looking for a player that you just know what you’re going to get every week,” Anasta added.
Given his likely unavailability for the next month, the Tigers could let the Broncos continue to pick up Pangai’s tab, or sign him now and give him three weeks in Maguire’s care.
The Tigers know Pangai is not reaching his full potential. Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett was not subtle after Thursday’s game when he said about Pangai being told he could leave: “Well, he came here because of me, OK, he came here because he wanted to play under me, but that was taken away from him.”
Tigers officials have made a point of not wanting to publicly declare their interest in Pangai. They did so with Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr, only for fans to feel short-changed when that pair signed elsewhere.
Tamou, however, was happy to tell the Herald that Pangai would be a welcome addition to the Tigers’ forward pack. The Tigers’ captain pointed out another Broncos forward who had his own off-field indiscretions at Red Hill, Joe Ofahengaue, had thrived with the move to Sydney and even found his way back into the Queensland Origin team.
“Sometimes players can go stale and a change of coach and scenery can bring out the best in you,” Tamou said. “[Pangai] has shown what a powerhouse he is and he’s a game-breaker when used the right way. He would be an asset to any team he goes to.
“Every club is always on the lookout for a player of his calibre.
“If he is a bit of a loose cannon, ‘Madge’ [Maguire] will get the best out of him. Madge is a no-nonsense type of coach and I could see him working out well here.
$650 going up to $800 next year....!No wonder Broncos have cap problems..and they wanted Fifita at $1.1mil too..
Factoring all risks,particularly that hes likely to miss half a dozen games next year unless he improves his discipline on and off the field,hes not really worth what hes being paid THIS year,so will be an interesting negotiation.
**Not sure how Walters Jnr is a factor as hes off contract this year and free to go...**?And very welcome to btw..if he hasnt shown anything at 27 its just not there.
Surely if we get TPJ onboard we'll have a formidable pack that wont get rolled like Eels did to us?
After TPJ,our priority s/b a quality centre....or two.JTJ/Giddart/Talau are all maybes at best.
