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Posted: 2024-07-11 09:16:56

Tevita Pangai Junior has delivered a brilliant front rower performance to give the Dolphins and his mentor Wayne Bennett a vital 36-28 win over South Sydney.

The win came despite a potentially season-ending injury to second-row forward Euan Aitken, and a penalty try awarded to Souths despite Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray having a clear opportunity to ground the ball but dropping it. 

All the talk before the match at Dolphin Stadium on Thursday night was about how the Rabbitohs had won five games in a row since Bennett had signed to return to Redfern in 2025.

The master coach had vowed pre-match that his focus was solely on the Dolphins and Pangai Jnr, and his teammates, backed Bennett up to the hilt.

Both sides scored six tries but winger Jamayne Isaako landed six goals from as many attempts for the hosts to keep them in sixth position in forward Kenny Bromwich's 250th NRL match.

The Bunker proved to be one of the main talking points from Thursday night, with Souths's first try being awarded to them by the Bunker.

After toeing a kick over Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller, Gray was held by his counterpart without the ball but was able to wrestle free and have a clear chance to score. 

Gray dropped the ball, but the Bunker ruled the infringement by Fuller was severe enough to award a penalty try.

Jye Gray of the Rabbitohs scores what is awarded as a penalty try

Jye Gray dropped the ball over the line, but was awarded a contentious penalty try after being fouled in the lead-up.(Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)

Queensland Origin player Billy Moore said the fact Gray had regained his balance and had a clear opportunity to score meant Fuller should have been sent to the sin-bin, rather than South Sydney being awarded a penalty try. 

ABC Sport commentator Quentin Hull said a similar decision next Wednesday in the State of Origin decider would be a bad look for the game. 

"If that happens to a guy in blue at the cauldron at the back end of the decider on Wednesday, the refs will need security guards by the dozen to get out of the joint," he said.

Despite being on the wrong end of that decision, the Dolphins were sold against the Rabbitohs to snap a three-game losing streak.

Halves Kodi Nikorima and Isaiaya Katoa, along with lightning quick fullback Trai Fuller, shone but it was Pangai in his third match back in the NRL after a stint in boxing who provided the impetus.

Pangai had a near-perfect opening stint that showcased intent, power and skill.

His 97 metres from 10 carries in the opening 26 minutes — which included two offloads, three tackle busts and a try — set the tone for the home side.

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