Pangai Jr drama, Sharks beat Dogs in trial

Troy Whittaker | February 28, 2022

Tevita Pangai Jr’s inability to curb his aggression is a concern for Canterbury coach Trent Barrett after the star recruit was twice placed on report in a disappointing 30-6 NRL trial loss to Cronulla.

The former Brisbane and Penrith back-rower could be suspended for his new team’s season-opening clash with North Queensland after lashing out at rival forward Royce Hunt at PointsBet Stadium.

The 29th-minute incident, in which the defending Pangai Jr appeared to strike Hunt with his forearm, ripping his jersey as they wrestled in a tackle, came after he was cited for contacting the head of Sione Katoa.

Matt Burton impressed on Bulldogs debut, scoring their lone try, while the downside for the slick Sharks was captain Wade Graham going off in the 15th minute due to an ankle injury that will require scans.

But Pangai Jr’s brain snap, for which he was sin-binned, was the main talking point.

Hunt had the last laugh by barging over for a four-pointer right after the confrontation to make it 18-6.

Pangai Jr’s ill-discipline earned the ire of Barrett.

The firebrand’s lengthy rap sheet includes a three-game ban for a crusher tackle last season.

“We want Tevita to be aggressive but we have to be smart,” Barrett said.

“Cronulla have got a few forwards with a bit of niggle but we can’t get roped into that and we’ve got to be better than that.

“We’re not a good enough side to have those errors and penalties go against us.”

Graham was playing his first game since June after a series of head knocks.

The second-rower’s ankle issue puts him in doubt to face Canberra in round one.

“I just wanted him to do well,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s worked so hard, literally has not missed a pre-season training session.

“I may have put the mock on him. But he’ll be OK.”

While Barrett lamented Canterbury’s handling errors and an unfavourable 9-1 penalty count, the positive was Burton’s first contribution at five-eighth.

The 2021 premiership-winning Penrith centre kicked well, including forcing a dropout with a deft grubberkick, and sliced through for a 16th-minute try on the left edge.

His halves partnership with Jake Averillo showed glimpses of promise.

“We were good in stages. We’re both still young and we’re still both learning,” Burton said.

New Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes received a loud cheer when he came off in the 55th minute after a solid club debut highlighted by a neat short ball to assist Briton Nikora.

Braydon Trindall, Will Kennedy and Ronaldo Mulitalo also crossed the line for Cronulla.