'I know why I'm picked': TPJ ready to finally answer Fittler's call

NSW debutant Tevita Pangai Junior says he has no plans to take a backward step in Origin I and is ready to prove why he deserved to be picked in Brad Fittler’s side for the series opener.

Pangai Junior was the bolter selection for the Blues on Monday morning and looks set to start up front after Fittler phoned the Bulldogs prop following the side’s win over the Titans on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old’s inclusion for an injured Jake Trbojevic has created plenty of debate but for Pangai Junior, it’s a call that has been more than five years in the making.

“I know why I’ve been picked and I’ll keep my aggressive style and take on the Queensland pack,” Pangai Junior told NRL.com.

I’ll be sticking to my game. I can’t wait to test myself against the best.

- Tevita Pangai Junior

“We’re [Jake and I] totally different players. I’m more a power game and he’s a hard worker and doesn’t let the team down."

Pangai Junior was at another prominent Blues player's house on Sunday night – injured winger Daniel Tupou – when he received the shock call from Fittler to pack his bags.

“It was pretty crazy at the time, I was planning my bye weekend and was going to book a flight back to Brisbane to see my wife’s family,” he said.

“I was at Daniel Tupou’s family house when I got the news so it was a crazy place to be. We were having a feed and his parents were happy.

“My wife and Toops’ mum were in tears. It’s been a long time and one goal that’s now ticked off the bucket list.”

Pangai Junior said he and Fittler were in a good place after “knocking each other back” previously due to form, his international allegiances with Tonga and his infamous public support of the Maroons.

“I’m really grateful he’s got a forgiving heart for some of the things I’ve said in the past,” Pangai Junior said, referring to comments about supporting Queensland.

“He knows I’m a competitor and I want to compete against the best at the top level.

“Five years ago we had that good run with Tonga and continue to push the international game but my heart was leaning towards competing at the top level and this is the pinnacle of our game.”

Bulldogs teammate Josh Addo-Carr said Pangai Junior had turned a corner in the past 12 months, which has included a stint in reserve grade with Newtown last year.

"I am so rapt for him, all of the hard work he has done ever since he has been playing NRL, I feel like he has had a fantastic pre-season," Addo-Carr said.

"He sat on the sideline for us for a bit [with a calf injury] but I have seen how hard he has been working and I think he deserves his chance.

"We need that Tevita, that just wants everything, and that's when he is at his best.

"Energy, aggression, size, power, X-factor - everyone knows what type of talent he is and we need him at his best. I feel that if he prepares the best he can throughout the week he will perform the way we need him to."

Blues hooker Api Koroisau, who has played alongside Pangai Junior briefly when both were at the Panthers in 2021, added the Blues could get the best out of him by keeping his role simple.

"We gave him a job to do at Panthers when he took the field and he just did it, he'd go out and execute," Koroisau said.

"He probably knew he wouldn't be out there for a long time but he knew he could make a difference.

"I think that's the same thing that Freddy wants him to do here... make a difference."