Parker expecting Pangai Junior to stay in Queensland from 2025 and beyond

SENQ’s Corey Parker has predicted returning NRL star Tevita Pangai Junior to remain in Queensland beyond his current deal with the Dolphins, which is set to expire at the end of this season.

After a short stint as a professional boxer, Pangai Junior made the sensational return to the league with the NRL’s 17th franchise a matter of weeks ago and has proven to be one of the best signings of the season.

The experienced prop made it look easy in his side’s 36-28 win over the Rabbitohs on Thursday night, notching up 178 run metres, four tackle breaks, three offloads and scoring a pivotal try in the first half.

Many reports have linked the former NSW Blues forward with a move to South Sydney with current coach Wayne Bennett, but Parker is hopeful Pangai Junior will remain a Dolphin for next season.

“He’s only signed until the end of the year so we’ll wait and see what unfolds there,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“I know he’s got real tight ties with Kristian Woolf, going back to when Kristian was coaching the Tongan side.

“I would expect TPJ to stay I Queensland, I know he didn’t enjoy his time in Sydney, he was pretty open about that.

“It would be a great acquisition for the Dolphins if they could snap him up for next year.

“Obviously with Jesse Bromwich leaving, Kenny Bromwich and (Felise) Kaufusi towards the end of their careers, (Mark) Nicholls is also in that same boat. “They need some middle forwards.”

Pangai Junior is yet to confirm or comment on his future but he is free to negotiate with rival clubs ahead of the 2025 season.