‘Putting himself before the team’: Dogs star slammed as big blunders seal ‘timebomb’s’ Origin fate

Talk about unhealthy timing.

Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior selected the worst attainable second to make a pair of expensive errors in opposition to the Eels.

Already beneath strain to retain his spot in Brad Fittler’s NSW aspect for Game Two, Pangai Junior twice tried to make a play on Mitchell Moses just for the Eels halfback to use the break within the Bulldogs’ defensive position.

Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Both incidents led on to tries for the Eels at an important juncture within the sport.

Now it seems the efficiency has sealed the 27-year-old’s Origin with studies Fittler is ready to axe Pangai Junior in favour of Tigers ahead Stefano Utoikamanu.

Speaking on NRL360, Bulldogs nice Braith Anasta mentioned the errors had been in line with the dearth of self-discipline that has plagued Pangai Junior’s profession thus far.

“He’s always had potential but it’s the same mistakes, the same over-chase, it’s the same putting himself before the team,” Anasta mentioned on Monday night time.

“Gus (Gould) spoke to him about all of this and today was a classic going back to where he was a few months ago and where he was the past couple of years.

“It’s a bit of a time bomb and it can cost you the game. The overchase on Moses was horrible, twice, and the game was over for the Bulldogs.

“He just took it in his own hands to try and change the game but it was the wrong way.”

Maroons legend Gorden Tallis mentioned Pangai Junior was responsible of making an attempt to do an excessive amount of.

“He gets confused at wanting to make the big plays all the time,” Tallis mentioned.

“Tevita has got to ask himself what does my team need to do now. The team didn’t need him to rush out and put a shot on the No.7

“He’s trying to make a difference but you’ve got to pick your moments and the team has got to come first.”

Tallis then recommended Pangai Junior might do worse than mannequin his sport on an understated nice.

“I would show him Glenn Lazarus’ tapes. Lazo played the ball 20 times and was arguably the greatest frontrower the game has had,” Tallis mentioned.

“If he plays the ball, don’t worry about the fancy stuff, he could take his game to the next level.”

Another Bulldogs nice, Mick Ennis, mentioned Pangai Junior had sadly strengthened the status he has developed within the NRL.

“The doubt was around moments like what we saw today. Because we know what he’s capable of, he’s big and powerful and robust,” Ennis mentioned on NRL360.

“The Bulldogs had wrestled back momentum after the Eels had scored the opening. Then he overchases on Moses, Gutherson scores. Chases out of marker, Moses pulls him apart and Gutherson scores. In a moment it goes from six-all to 18-6.

Whule conceding Pangai Junior was hurting himself with ill-discpline, Ennis said he had sympathy for the Bulldogs star.

“If feel for him because at the moment he’s carrying so much of the burden of the Bulldogs pack,” Ennis mentioned.

“Being that enforcer he feels like he’s got to make a difference.

“When he gets that consistency right in his game he’s as damaging as any player in the competition.

“But today he came up with the moments where he overcooked it and it cost his side, it cost his side dearly.”