https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/joe-ofahengaue-quits-parramatta-to-join-super-league-club-leigh-leopards-c-18402283

https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/joe-ofahengaue-quits-parramatta-to-join-super-league-club-leigh-leopards-c-18402283

Seeing mixed reviews of him on social media. Hopefully an improvement on what we have got and can be another starting prop option if/when Trout or Mulhern are injured.


Curious that we have used our last quota spot on a prop though. I would expect an early departure at the end of the season, if not before, of one of our middles contracted till the end of next season. (Pene, Tuitivake, Liu)

On paper he is a better player than Amone, about the same age and has been pretty much a regular for every team he has played for in the NRL, which is more than can be said about Amone.


That doesn't always transfer to SL though, some players seem to adapt better to SL and the style despite having a stronger reputation.

Prop, Centre or Half-back? The Leigh team is crumbling slightly, everybody knows that the Leopards need a bit of grunt to get on the front foot and get out of their own 20 metre zone. Moylan retires and Chester is unable to fill the creative hole, even if Gaz O'Brien has been solid if unspectacular. Injuries to first choice centres Hanley and Nui means moving utility players to fill holes.


Which is more important? Lammy and Chester have opted for an experienced former state of origin representative with 200 NRL games under his belt. Leigh now have 5 front-line props. How will that equate to match day squads? I expect Mulhern and Trout to continue as starting pair with Ofahengaue to come off the bench and provide plenty of carries and tackles. What about Tuitavake and Pene? Lammy is less concerned about specialist positions and will sub hookers for props in an attempt to just get fresh legs on the field. Pene appears to have the physical attributes to operate in the 2nd row.


Another option is that Tuitavake or Pene are loaned out, and Chezzy utilises the vacant overseas slot for a half-back. Every Super League seems to be on the look out for props but do not have the cap space. Widnes or Oldham might be possible locations. Lammy did suggest 2 new signings, and British half-backs don't grow on trees.

I think prop was just about the priority. But only just. We've seen how fragile we are in the middle when Mulhern is missing, and we are an experienced prop light. 

IMO prop, half back and second row are all required immediately, with Pene's performance last week and if he keeps that level of performance up he wont be going anywhere but it does narrow your search down for a English based half back especially with Lewis Dodd to make his NRL debut this week.


Hopefully Joe turns out to be that impact prop forward off the bench we are crying out for and Pene reaches the level he did last week.