TPG hasn’t wasted his time behind the scenes.
Referee Chris Kendall speaks with Tevita Pangai Jr of Hull KR at Leeds Rhinos
Willie Peters has praised Hull KR prop Tevita Pangai Junior for his conduct during his ongoing suspension and believes he is putting himself in the best position possible for the Robins to see the best of him come his return.
The front row forward is still serving a six game ban for an incident with Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor in defeat at Headingley last month. But the overseas man is using that time wisely, and has even been spotted training with Hull FC man Ligi Sao in recent times.
Challenged to up his fitness levels, Pangai Junior has seemingly taken that challenge on board, with the player out to suspension for the sixth and final time against Castleford Tigers this week. He will be eligible for selection once again against former club Catalans Dragons later this month.
“He’s been great,” Peters said. “All I want to judge Tevita on now is what he does now and going forward. I’ve said it before, he did the wrong things, and he is being punished for it, but if you have a look, he’s physically looking really good.
“He’s lost a lot of weight, and he’s putting himself in the best position to be able to show what Tevita’s about. He didn’t do that before (his ban). He did in snippets, but he was never going to in terms of where he was at weight-wise. Now, he’s playing or ready to play at a weight that will see the best of Tevita.”
Meanwhile, Mikey Lewis also has two games to go on his four-game suspension. The half-back will be available for selection again for Rovers’ midweek game against Warrington Wolves on August 18.