Latest news with #TevitaPangaiJr
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Warrington sign Catalans forward Pangai Jr for 2026
Warrington Wolves have agreed a deal to sign Catalans Dragons forward Tevita Pangai Jr at the end of the Tonga international, 29, has signed a one-year contract to play for Warrington in prop has so far played 15 Super League games in his sole season with Catalans after moving from Australia, where he played for four different NRL clubs and also appeared for New South Wales in the State of Origin."We're excited to welcome Tevita to Warrington," head coach Sam Burgess told the club's website, external."He's a dynamic forward who brings real power and presence through the middle."His experience at the highest level will make him a valuable asset to our pack for next season."
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warrington Wolves confirm signing of powerhouse Pangai Jr
TEVITA Pangai Jr's move to Warrington Wolves has now been officially confirmed. After reports of a deal first emerged earlier this week before the player himself effectively confirmed he was on his way to the club in an interview with the Daily Telegraph in Australia, The Wire have now confirmed his signing for 2026. The Tongan international prop will bring his one-season stay in France with Catalans Dragons to an end in favour of signing a one-year deal at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. READ MORE > Inside Wire's move for Pangai Jr and what it could mean for Paul Vaughan's future Pangai Jr's arrival comes as part of a refresh of Warrington's middle unit for next season, with Wigan Warriors prop Liam Byrne also set to join as first revealed by the Warrington Guardian earlier this year. As well as playing six times internationally for Tonga, the 29-year-old also turned out for New South Wales during the 2023 State of Origin series while his NRL career took in the Dolphins, Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos, against whom he played against Warrington at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in the 2017 World Club Series. Tevita Pangai Jr tackles Ben Westwood while playing for Brisbane Broncos in the 2017 World Club Series (Image: Chris Mangnall/ Now, he is looking forward to calling the place his new home. 'I'm excited to sign for Warrington for the 2026 season," he said. 'It's a club with big ambitions, and after our talks I knew this was the right challenge and the right time to make the next move in my career. 'Sam Burgess is a big reason and I'm really looking forward to working with him and learning from him. 'I've played at The Halliwell Jones Stadium a couple of times now and just remember how loud and passionate the fans were. I'm excited to get over and represent the club in 2026.' Head coach Sam Burgess added: 'We're excited to welcome Tevita to Warrington. He's a dynamic forward who brings real power and presence through the middle. 'His experience at the highest level will make him a valuable asset to our pack for next season.'
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Catalans powerhouse 'confirms' he is heading for Warrington Wolves
TEVITA Pangai Jr has all but confirmed he is on his way to Warrington Wolves for next year. Reports began to emerge yesterday that the Catalans Dragons powerhouse was on Sam Burgess' radar for 2026. Now, the man himself has effectively confirmed he will be wearing the primrose and blue next year in an interview given to the Daily Telegraph newspaper in Australia. Having turned out in the NRL for Brisbane Broncos, Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers and the Dolphins, Pangai Jr arrived in Super League in pre-season to join Les Dracs and has played 19 times for them in 2025. His deal was a 12-month contract and having reportedly courted interest from rugby union clubs in both France and Australia, he is now set on joining Burgess' squad. And he revealed to the Daily Telegraph that Burgess' presence as head coach was a big factor in his decision. 'I'm excited to work with Sam Burgess,' Pangai Jr said. 'He's a big reason why I'm going there. 'Ben Te'o (former teammate and coach) had big wraps on Sam during my time with him at the Broncos and Dolphins. 'He is very inspiring as a player and coach. 'Rugby union has always been something I've wanted to try – it would have been great to be in that environment and system to learn the No. 6 or 8 position to excel but things didn't eventuate. 'This opportunity came up and it happened very quickly to be honest.' Warrington are yet to officially confirm the deal but Pangai Jr is now set to join Wigan Warriors front-rower Liam Byrne, a deal for whom the Warrington Guardian revealed to be done earlier this year, at the club in 2026.
