The days of the enforcer roaming the field looking for a victim to inflict unadulterated violence upon is coming to an end. Tevita Pangai Junior is one of the last remaining bastions of this dying breed.
He is one of the few players in the NRL who can still instil fear amongst the opposition as they know he is more than willing to take things into his own hands and operate outside the realms of what’s considered acceptable, or legal, out on the field.
Brad Fittler explains Tevita Pangai Junior's NSW Origin selection
When the red mist descends, Pangai Junior can be either the most powerful component of his side’s charge or a liability who inflicts more pain on his own teammates than his opponents.
MORE: NSW Blues selection talking points | QLD Maroons selection talking points
Brad Fittler conceded there is an inherent risk that comes with the selection of the Canterbury prop but having lost two of the last three State of Origin series, the coach is in a gambling mood.
"If it’s a risk - a gamble - then let’s have a gamble," he declared after the Dogs' forward was a shock inclusion in his New South Wales side for the Origin opener in Adelaide.
Despite Pangai Junior's relative lack of game time this season, he has managed to force his way into the NSW team due to his fearsome reputation.
"Honestly, I’ve liked him for a while and I can just see that teams are intimidated by him," Fittler said.
"I think, at times, he hasn’t handled that well either, but I’ve just always liked him. He’s super talented and it’s just a case of him going to that next level where he shows control and leadership."
The 27-year-old was handed his Origin debut because Jake Trbojevic was ruled out of Game I after aggravating a troublesome calf injury during Manly’s win over the Raiders.
"Jake was pencilled in," Blues advisor, Greg Alexander, told SEN.
"As you know, you can't pen anything in until everything's over and we got word that Jake had re-injured that calf, which was disappointing after coming back and making his return against Canberra."
Fittler revealed the proposition of entering into the all-important first match of the series with a player who may have been underdone fitness-wise was too big of a stretch.
"The dialogue between Manly and ourselves was we weren’t willing to risk an injury after he’d been out for three weeks and he could come into camp and not be able to train," Fittler said.
"Talking to Jake, it was a very tough conversation to have."
Pangai Junior has made six appearances for the Bulldogs this year after having the start of his campaign wiped out through injury.
Since featuring for the Dogs for the first time this season in their Round 7 loss to Parramatta, he has notched just under the 50-minute mark playing through the middle.
He hasn’t quite been at his damaging best but has consistently made over 100 running metres per game while averaging a 90 per cent tackling efficiency.
Against the Eels, he exploded onto the scene with six offloads, which have been his calling card throughout his career.
Yet since then, he has noticeably tucked the ball under his wing and reduced this aspect of his game, having not thrown more than three in a match since.
His performance against the Titans on the weekend caught the eye as his running battle with Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui harkened back to some of Pangai’s golden hits of the past.
He clocked over 200m for the first time this year while he constantly went after Tino in a personal battle which was reminiscent of the time he infamously waged war on his Tongan teammate, Jason Taumalolo.
There is no doubt that Pangai Junior has a reputation for letting his emotions get the better of him with the forward having spent plenty of time on the sidelines through suspension.
Fittler admitted this was simply something he would have to learn to control in the Origin arena or face the prospect of being a gamble that won't be made again at the representative level.
"Everyone understands now with sin-binning that the red line is a dangerous place to go," the coach said.
"There are teams that do it very well and others that are happy to flirt with that line.
"It’s a pretty physical game, so you need to be confident and ready and hope that everything goes right in those moments where the red line is appearing."