Former Catalans Dragons man Tevita Pangai Jr has joined up with sixth tier French rugby union side Sporting Club Leucate.
Pangai Jr had agreed a deal with Warrington Wolves for the 2026 Super League season, with the powerful prop declaring his excitement to play under the stewardship of Sam Burgess. However, Warrington released a statement at the end of last month to confirm Pangai Jr’s change of heart, with the former New South Wales man informing the club that he would not be joining.
The reason for the decision was unclear at the time, but with his wife due to give birth in France shortly, he has now found a new club as he bids to carve out a career in rugby union. As such, he has joined amateur side Leucate, which is less than 20 miles north of Perpignan, where he has been based for the last year with Catalans.
Pangai Jr’s desire is to sign with a professional outfit before too long but he has agreed to join Leucate while he is waiting for his French Rugby Federation to be approved. Leucate play in Federale 2, which is five leagues below the Top 14 on the French rugby pyramid.
According to L’Independant, he has been in talks with Racing Club Narbonnais over a month to the third tier outfit.
“Tevita Pangai Junior temporarily joins the Damier Family,” a club post read on Instagram, alongside a picture of the forward.
“At the end of his contract with the Catalan Dragons, he decided to stay in the south of France where his wife should give birth to their child.
“Totally amateur, connected by mutual friends, he wants to discover and progress in rugby at XV.
“He hopes in the future to find a professional club corresponding to his level.
“Waiting for the acceptance of his file by the FFR, he begins training with his new Sporting teammates today.
“This Wednesday, Tevita signed the official documents of her membership.”
Pangai Jr spent just one season with Catalans after joining the club from NRL side Dolphins, making 23 appearances and scoring four tries for the French outfit.
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