LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Wayne Bennett has let slip some revealing thoughts about Tevita Pangai Junior as NRL legend Matty Johns speculates on a potential Souths link-up [sporting analogy][Australian slang]
Pangai Junior is set to hit free agency at the close of the season.
Tevita Pangai Junior emerges as the potential game-changer for the Dolphins in the later stages of the season following a standout performance against the Rabbitohs, hailed by Wayne Bennett as a "dominant" showing from the powerhouse forward on Thursday evening.
After enduring a rough patch with four losses in five games, the Dolphins resurfaced [sporting analogy] with a stellar 36-28 victory over a formidable Rabbitohs outfit.
Pangai Junior, who made a comeback to the NRL after his stint with the Bulldogs to pursue boxing, proved pivotal in the eight-point triumph, elevating Bennett's squad to solidify their hold on sixth place in the rankings.
Bennett's gamble on Pangai paid off handsomely [sporting cliche], with the wrecking ball's impactful display in his third match back in the top-flight seeing him notch a try, create another, tally 140 running metres, and deliver three offloads and four tackle busts in just over 50 minutes.
The former Broncos and Bulldogs luminary thrived in his starting prop role for Bennett's injury-stricken squad, channeling his relentless attacking runs against Souths that conjured up memories of his best NRL performances.
Pangai's menacing presence disrupted the Rabbitohs defense consistently [sporting analogy], with his offloading prowess causing headaches for the opposition.
"I was really pleased with him," Bennett remarked about Pangai post-match.
"We've been missing Tom Flegler and his impact is undeniable, and Tevita brings a similar dynamic.
We needed a forward capable of shaking things up.
He snagged a try, set up another with a crucial offload that sparked us in the second half.
The lad was truly dominant out there."