Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo expects Tevita Pangai Jr to back up from his NSW State of Origin debut as a better player as the Bulldogs bid to extend the Sydney Roosters' spluttering 2023 season.
Bulldogs prop Pangai had a solid first hit-out for the Blues in Wednesday’s defeat to Queensland but was left to rue a handful of costly errors.
Pangai, winger Josh Addo-Carr and five-eighth Matt Burton, who didn’t take to the field in the series opener, are all named to face the Roosters in Gosford on Sunday.
Addo-Carr slots straight in for Jacob Kiraz, who suffered an elbow injury earlier this week.
“I'm happy they got through it unscathed and they come back to us as better players,” Ciraldo said of the Origin trio.
“For Tevita going in for his first time there and realising that he was up to that speed of play and that level, he’s going to come back to us as a better player.
“He’s been a high-level player for a long time and probably most people thought he would have played Origin a long time before now.
“It wasn’t a surprise he’s getting chosen in teams like that.”
The Roosters, meanwhile, have named Queensland prop Lindsay Collins and NSW fullback James Tedesco to face the Dogs.
They are without Brandon Smith (hand) and Victor Radley (suspension) and will give winger Junior Pauga his club debut.
“(Pauga) has been dominating reserve grade with North Sydney, he’s worked really hard," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“He’s a late bloomer who has trained all year with us and now it’s time to play.”
Robinson’s side have struggled this season, carrying the NRL's worst attack and a 5-6 record to start the campaign.
The Roosters have spent time in camp on the Central Coast following their last-gasp loss to bottom-placed St George Illawarra a fortnight ago.
"The rest was really important and then it was about getting to work,” Robinson said.
“I caught up with Ted and Linds, I’ve discussed their games with them and it’s now about us and them getting ready to play."
