Fireworks may go off at Accor Stadium on Saturday when Bulldogs hothead Tevita Pangai Junior and Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt clash again.
The two have history dating back to a Bulldogs-Sharks fixture during the 2022 pre-season when Hunt said of Pangai Junior post-game “if he wants to have a go in the ring, we’ll go” after a on-field melee which saw the Bulldogs prop sin-binned.
“He’s on a mission to get sent off,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said on the broadcast at the time.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Speaking this week to the Daily Telegraph, Pangai Junior, who will line up for just his second game of the season on Sunday, gave some insight into this weekend’s clash with Hunt as well as if he plans to taper his on-field aggression.
“Royce is a good player, he had a good World Cup campaign and he’ll be good to go up against,” Pangai Junior said.
“I like competing against good players like him.”
“I think I’m better when tipping red, you know,”
“I feel like when I’m tipping red, that’s when I’m on and that’s when I’m in control. Like on the weekend (against the Eels) I felt effective.
Wighton urged to make decision on future | 01:42
MORE NRL NEWS
WALKER: Why the Roosters ‘had no choice’ in bombshell call with Manu ready to fire
TEAMS ANALYSIS: Knights’ $1.4m boost as star returns; Roosters’ halves named
‘THE BIGGEST STORY IN TOWN’: Wighton’s ‘obligation’ to end contract circus
“I have to go back to what I did at the start of my career, competing hard at every play and competing in the spirit of the game.
“I know what works for me and I know what I bring to the team. If I’m just lackadaisical (about it) and I’m just sitting, not coming into the game, that‘s when fans should be worried.”
Pangai Junior isn’t the only player to get under the skin of Hunt on the field.
Earlier in the season, during the round 3 Sharks and Raiders clash, Hunt called Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh a “weak-gutted dog”.
Hunt was sin-binned for striking Horsburgh in the second half, retaliating for being pushed over by the Raiders firebrand.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“You can’t just hold me in and push me over and not expect anything. I was a bit upset about that,” Hunt said post-game, referring to Horsburgh.
“It is what it is, it’s rugby league. We get on with it and bash him next game.”
Even Pangai Junior is looking forward to Round 2 of the Hunt-Horsburgh show.
“I think he’s (Hunt) got to worry more about Corey Horsburgh with all the stuff on social media,” Pangai Junior said.
“That was pretty fun and good theatre. I can’t wait for them to go at it again.”
