Dolphins enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr has caught the attention of the match review committee following his first game back in the NRL on Friday night.
Pangai Junior, who quit the sport last year to pursue boxing, was placed on report just five minutes after coming on for a late shot on Storm prop Christian Welch.
It didn’t deter the big man though and later in the game he put a heavy, but legal, shot on Trent Loeiro.
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But the MRC ruled Pangai Jr’s hit on Welch was dangerous contact and they slapped him with a $1000 fine which will increase to $1500 if he fights the charge and loses.
Speaking post game, James Graham said the Pangai Junior hit on Loeiro was “what you look for sometimes, your bench forwards to come on, make an impact (and) be physically imposing.”
“Now every single forward in the NRL when they come up against the Dolphins, they’re going to want to know where Tevita Pangai Junior is.”
Storm hold off fast-finishing Phins | 03:05
“It’s his first game back in a long time so you can expect middle forwards to be wanting to know exactly where Tevita Pangai Junior is because there’s nothing worse than being blindsided out of the corner of your eye by someone, especially Tevita Pangai Junior.”
Loeiro wasn’t just on the receiving end of a TPJ bone crusher but also the MRC, with the Melbourne forward also cited.
Loeiro was penalised for a crusher tackle on Herbie Farnworth on the stroke of halftime that has earned him a hefty $3000 fine.
Loeiro, 23, will be suspended for two games if he contests the charge at the judiciary and loses.
The return of Tevita Pangai Junior | 03:57
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