Joe Ofahengaue, an enforcer for the Parramatta Eels, has joined Leigh on a three-and-a-half-year contract that will take effect immediately and last through the conclusion of the 2028 season.
With Australian half-back Matt Moylan abruptly announcing his retirement at the end of the 2024 season, the Leopards are among the few Super League teams with remaining capacity on both the wage cap and their overseas quota.
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Since Fiji international Ben Nakubuwai returned to Australia in mid-March, Leigh has been searching the NRL market for fresh players for some months, as is well known.
After searching for a number of candidates, Leigh has finally found their man in seven-time Tonga international Ofahengaue.
As a long-term contract is established, the Leigh Leopards quickly recruit the Parramatta Eels enforcer.
As recently as four years ago, the 29-year-old played for Queensland in the State of Origin. He has participated in every Parramatta NRL game this season, starting five of them.
However, in response to Leigh’s interest, Ofahengaue was released from the remaining portion of his contract, and the Eels announced his departure on Wednesday night.
“Joe is a huge signing for the club for the rest of the current season and three years beyond,” said Chris Chester, the Leopards’ head of rugby, after his transfer to the Super League was officially confirmed.
He has played for his country, in State of Origin, and as a first-grade regular for more than a decade. He is an incredible player with a wealth of experience. Joe will make our middle unit bigger and more powerful.
Even with everything he has accomplished, he is still quite young, and we believe his finest rugby years are still to come. Getting his autograph over the queue makes me very happy.
“I spoke with Adrian (Lam, head coach), and he expressed his excitement about joining the Leopards.”
Ofahengaue, who was born in Auckland, just made his 200th appearance in the NRL after wearing shirts for the Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos before Parramatta.
He made his Broncos debut against the Cronulla Sharks in 2015 and has since amassed 12 NRL tries.
“I have watched and admired Joe as a player for a very long time,” stated Leopards manager Lam.
Joe has always been an excellent group leader, and with more than 200 NRL games under his belt, he will add even more expertise to our team.
Joe is a player who will be a wonderful match for our club because he is big and explosive in both attack and defence.
“He is the precise player we need to increase the size of our forward pack and gain a frontal lead.
“His early arrival to the Leopards’ Den will elevate the team to a new level.
“I chatted with Joe, and he expressed great excitement for the next phase of this journey, together with his wife and family. He has kept a close eye on Leigh Leopards and is aware of the direction the team is taking, and he hopes to contribute to that going forward.
“He is excited to play in front of our supporters and believes that his best rugby is still ahead of him. He hopes to win over the Leigh supporters with his tough, rugged, direct, and aggressive style of rugby.”
