Brisbane enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior has dispelled any rumours about his State of Origin allegiances, after reportedly committing to New South Wales.

The 23-year-old has told Blues coach Brad Fittler he wants to represent NSW in the Origin series, with Nine's Danny Weidler confirming the news on Monday night.

“Tevita Pangai Junior has told Brad Fittler he wants to play for NSW, simple as that,” Weidler told 100% Footy.

“I spoke to Freddy today and he’s said that he’s going to reaffirm that with him but as of late last year there was no question that’s what he wants to do this year.

“In that case it’s a sealed deal for this year that he wants to be a Blue which is great news for NSW, not so good for QLD.”

Pangai Junior was initially hesitant at representing New South Wales due to his Tonga eligibility, although any fears an Origin selection would mean a Kangaroos selection have been shut down.

“I can tell you he is eligible [for Origin] and because he’s a Tier 2 player I don’t think Meninga has got a right to try and get him to play for Australia,” Weidler added.

Pangai Junior has played 56 first grade games for Brisbane, and has represented Tonga four times.

3 COMMENTS

  2. Fabulous news, but the whole playing with NSW mid year and than Tonga at the end of the year hmm still doesn’t sit well with me. Still think this eligibility rule needs tweaking . But he’s the best up and coming forward and I’m a blue so welcome TPJ .

  3. I don’t know why it is a big thing now, in 2017 McGuire played for Samoa, Queensland and Australia in the one year! Last year Milford plays origin gets dropped and is allowed to play for Samoa. I guarantee you if Samoa had the type of players Tonga had at their disposal, everyone would freak out. We talk about growing the international game but as soon as something is good or out of the norm as the Tonga team is, we try and find ways to get rid of it or just simply complain about it. Bottom line is that Tonga are a tier 2 nation making anyone in TPJs shoes eligible for origin. We shouldn’t force him to pick, we really shouldn’t

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