State of Origin 2023: Flegler ready for Pangai Jr challenge

May 24, 2023 9:58 am.by Wayne Heming

QLD Maroons forward Thomas Flegler — Queensland’s Thomas Flegler says he won’t tone down his aggressive approach when taking on Tevita Pangai Junior and the NSW forwards in Origin I. (Photo: QRL)

Back in the wild west days of State Of Origin, NSW enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior’s bold declaration “I know why I am picked” would have been cut out and posted up on Queensland’s whiteboard to fire up the players.

Pangai Junior’s early warning shot would have no doubt been mentioned a few times over breakfast in the Queensland camp this week after NSW coach Brad Fittler admitted TPJ had been specifically selected to do a “job” on the Maroons pack.

READ: State of Origin team selections – Game 1, 2023

His provocative comments would have had former Queensland hard men like Greg Dowling, Trevor Gillmeister, and certainly the Raging Bull, Gorden Tallis, rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

Pangai Junior grew up idolising Queensland players including Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, and Johnathan Thurston, and wanting to pull on a maroon jumper.

His pledge to Fittler is motivated by his desire to prove to his coach and to NSW fans his allegiances are are now firmly with the Blues.

Queensland won the forward battle in the third and deciding game of last year’s series, and Fittler has made it clear he wants a lot more energy and aggression from his pack in Game 1 in Adelaide next Wednesday night.

A fiery and aggressive Pangai Junior responded as expected to Fittler’s call when he was told he had been picked to replace injured middle forward Jake Trbojevic.

“I know why I am picked,” declared the rampaging Bulldog enforcer, vowing not to take a backward step in Origin I.

“I’ll maintain my aggressive style and take on the Queensland pack.”

Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Junior is crystal clear on his role for the Blues in the 2023 State of Origin series. (Photo: NRL)

It puts him on a direct collision course with Queensland strongman Thomas Flegler, a raw-boned 110kg country boy from Tully who has been given a shot at replacing Maroons warrior Josh Papalii following his retirement after 23 Origins as a forward enforcer.

Flegler plays the game in a similar brand to Pangai Junior.

Both are naturally aggressive, passionate, even fiery at times, with footwork and an offload in them.

One thing is certain: when they come together next week, and they will many times, the foundations of Adelaide Oval will shake, fans will wince and there is every chance there will be fireworks.

Flegler’s most vivid Origin memory growing up was watching an ugly incident on the family TV involving Queensland forward Steve Prince and NSW intimidator Brett White in 2009.

The two props stood toe-to-toe in the middle of Suncorp Stadium in front of 52,000 fans trading blows before White dropped Price, sparking wild scenes as players ran from all over the field to join the fight.

“That is my most vivid Origin memory, when Steve Price got in a fight with Brett White and got knocked out, unfortunately,” he said.

“That’s the one that sticks in my brain the most.”

Flegler knows he has been handed a huge job in just his second Origin, given the legacy Canberra’s Papalii left him to follow.

“It’s massive,” he told BettingSite.com.au.

“I’m trying to keep it simple. Origin has changed a bit from those old days but I know I still have to go out and be physical for the team.

“You never take playing this kind of game for granted. It’s something you dream of as a little kid.

“To be able to live the dream is really exciting.”

Flegler has found himself in trouble a few times already in his 85-game NRL career with Brisbane because he walks a fine line every time he goes onto the field.

He has no plans to temper his aggression or fire, especially with NSW picking a team that packs plenty of forward power.

“I won’t be changing anything or doing anything different,” he said.

“The way I play has got me to where I am today, so I am not going to stop doing it.

“I’ll pull on the maroon jumper and go out and be as physical as I possibly can.

“It’s a fine line to walk. But Queenslanders always have each other’s back and whenever something does happen, we’re always in there for each other, so that won’t change.

“Nobody ever goes into a game thinking they will punch someone in the head, you just stick to your game.

“Something might get out of hand and if that happens, it happens.

“It’s usually all spur-of-the-moment stuff.”

One thing Flegler knows is there are going to be some brutal collisions on Wednesday night.

“There always is in Origin, so hopefully we will see plenty of fireworks.”

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