Tevita versus Tino: Addo-Carr not expecting ‘alpha males’ to back down
By Christian Nicolussi
July 23, 2022 — 5.17pm
Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr is looking forward to “alpha males” Tevita Pangai jnr and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui locking horns on Sunday while admitting he was still at a loss to explain his NSW Origin snub.
Pangai was angered by the sight of Bulldogs teammate Matt Burton being held in a headlock by Queensland enforcer Fa’asuamaleaui as fellow Maroon Dane Gagai unleashed a flurry of punches in Origin III.
The firebrand forward told The Sun-Herald last week
Fa’asuamaleaui could expect to be in the Bulldogs’ sights, only for the Titans skipper to respond: “Bring it on next week.”
While Titans coach Justin Holbrook tried to play down any potential fireworks in the middle of CommBank Stadium on Sunday, Addo-Carr, who won a premiership with Fa’asuamaleaui at the Storm, said of the match-up: “They’re two alpha males who won’t take a backward step.
“I’ll back my teammate. He [Pangai] is a really dominant player – that’s what we need from him and, if he’s on, the whole team is on. For him, it’s just about playing with controlled aggression. When he does that, he plays his best footy, and it will benefit the team if he does that.”
Gagai and Burton avoided suspension for throwing punches in the Origin decider and Pangai wants players to avoid suspension in the NRL for doing likewise. Pangai thrives on confrontation while Fa’asuamaleaui was praised for embracing Queensland’s chief antagonist role.
Addo-Carr, who did not train all week because of a glute strain but is expected to play against the Titans after getting through the captain’s run, said he still did not know why Blues’ coach Brad Fittler overlooked him for the interstate series.
“I honestly don’t know why,” Addo-Carr said. “I heard from Freddy. He sent me a couple of text messages to let me know [he wasn’t in the squad].
“It’s always my goal to play Origin. It was disappointing I wasn’t there, but if it was best for the team, so be it. I love putting that Blues jersey on and representing my state and my family.”
There was a suggestion Addo-Carr needed to focus more on his game and less on his social media accounts – he has 285,000 Instagram followers – only for the ‘Fox’ to respond: “That’s what I do, that’s what the Fox does, bra. I’ve been doing it ever since I’ve been on social media.”
Addo-Carr is desperate to finish the year well for the Bulldogs and then reignite his representative career with a return to the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad, alongside his good friend Latrell Mitchell “whose handprint is still on my chest” after he palmed him out of the way for a try last week.
The Canterbury fan favourite also welcomed the potential appointment of coach Cameron Ciraldo, who was photographed meeting one of the club’s major backers for lunch during the week.
The only time Addo-Carr has crossed paths with Ciraldo was while completing some sprint drills with Justin Lang at his gym in the Shire earlier this year, but he had heard plenty about the Panthers assistant from Burton and Pangai, who played under him last year.
“I know the boys loved him, and what he’s done for the Panthers; his resume speaks for itself,” Addo-Carr said. “I want success for the club, it’s the whole reason I’ve come here, and the more people who have experienced success and come here will only benefit the club. It would be good if we get him. I’d be very happy if he comes here.”
The Dogs lost Jake Averillo to COVID during the week before his replacement,
Matt Dufty, was granted an immediate release to join Super League club Warrington.
