Simple direction from new coach Cameron Ciraldo — and a State of Origin dream — are behind the reinvigorated Tevita Pangai Junior that Bulldogs fans will see this season.
The 27-year-old has spent most of his 121-game career switching between prop, second row and lock but has been assured by Ciraldo that he can focus on just one position in 2023.
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“Front row is my position,” Pangai Junior told foxsports.com.au.
“I know that’s where Cam wants me to play and has given me a simple role — he knows what works for me.
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“I think that’s the best thing about our coaching staff. They know how their players work and they try and make it as simple as they can for us to just go out and know our role.
“I just have to lead with my actions… carry the ball and keep it simple.”
Pangai Junior was one of the Bulldogs’ star recruits for 2022 but failed to meet expectations — and was even dropped to reserve grade at one stage.
When reflecting on his first season in Belmore, a “disappointed” Pangai Junior declared “it’s time for growth and to learn from my mistakes.”
That started with shedding 12 kilos during the off-season while training for his second professional fight — which he won.
He then made a promise to Ciraldo that he’d return to pre-season under 110kg — and kept it.
Now he has his sights set on a starting spot.
“I’m looking to start this year off the back of what I did in the off-season and in the pre-season,” Pangai Junior said.
Beyond that, Pangai Junior wants to be “more consistent” and make the top eight because “anything under that is a failure.”
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He’s also set the goal of “hopefully getting an Origin game” this year.
“It’s a pretty hard team to get into when they’re winning and with the forwards we have for NSW but it’s a good challenge for me,” Pangai Junior said.
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The Bulldogs kicked off their new era under Ciraldo with a 34-18 win over the Raiders in the first week of the Pre-season Challenge.
Pangai Junior didn’t play but is expected to feature in Sunday’s clash with the Sharks at Belmore.
The competition’s leading offloader for 2022 will bring that same second-phase play this season, but also hopes to add something he’s taken from his all-time favourite player.
“I loved Sonny Bill Williams as a forward because he knew how to bring that aggression but also had that skill set that not many forwards have with his passing and offloads,” Pangai said of his close friend and mentor Williams.
“He had that grunt in him but he also has the skills of a halfback.
“It’d be good to add his pre-line pass into my game.”
