NRL 2024: Josh Aloiai labels Joe Ofahengaue a grub after ‘squirrel grip’ allegation

Parramatta’s Joe Ofahengaue may have no case to answer with the match review committee, but one fellow NRL star was less than impressed with his alleged ‘squirrel grip’ on Friday night.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak alleged he was the victim of a squirrel grip tackle. Picture: Fox League

Inconclusive evidence and a lack of desire from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to proceed with a complaint has meant Joe Ofahengaue has escaped any sanctioning from the match review committee.

But that has not stopped Manly prop Josh Aloiai from taking aim at Ofahengaue labelling him a “grub” for his apparent actions.

Ofahengaue came any scrutiny from the match review committee but was cleared on Saturday morning after being placed on report for a “squirrel grip”.

Josh Aloiai takes a shot at Joe Ofahengaue. Picture: Supplied

The match review committee looked at footage on Saturday but there was no clear shot of Ofahengaue’s actions. Warriors winger Watene-Zelezniak also opted against proceeding with a complaint despite gesturing to his groin region during the Warriors’ loss to Parramatta on Friday night.

It resulted in no charge for Ofahengaue.

But that did not stop Aloiai from slamming the former Maroons forward.

Just moments after Ofahengaue was penalised for the tackle, Aloiai took to his Instagram to fire a shot at the Eels player.

“Get your hands of my penis!” - DWZ goes full democracy manifest!#rugbyleague#nrl#nzwarriors#democarcymanifestpic.twitter.com/zNdCvMrFvD

— The ACC (@TheACCnz) August 2, 2024

“Joe doing what he does best,” Aloiai posted. “Grub.”

The pair are ex-Tigers players but their paths never crossed at the club.

Three players were charged by the match review committee following games on Friday night but the trio will escape with just fines if they take the early guilty plea. Roosters star Joey Manu was sin-binned for a high tackle on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow while Oryn Keeley and Chanel Harris-Tavita will have to cough up $1000 if they want to play in their next game.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will fight the grading of Justin Olam’s tackle after he was sent from the field on Thursday night.

Olam was hit with a grade three charge which would have resulted in a three game ban but the Tigers want a downgrade.

“We’re going to fight this for Justin and for our club,” said Tigers boss Shane Richardson.

“We believe the severity of the grading is harsh and we are going to do what we can to have this reduced.”

EELS SNAP LOSING STREAK

- Matt Cleary

One club joined the list of dead men walking and the other took a step to avoiding the wooden spoon on Friday night when Parramatta Eels upset New Zealand Warriors in front of another sold-out crowd at GO Media Stadium.

Parramatta was missing Mitchell Moses and had notched just one win from their last 12 games.

The Warriors, meanwhile, welcomed back halfback Shaun Johnson while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad came back into fullback with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifted to the wing.

However none of these men or fellow big name Addin Fonua-Blake could spark their team in a must-win fixture.

DWZ GRIPPED

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made an on-field complaint when he appeared to suffer a groin injury following a tackle by three Eels players including Joe Ofahengaue.

Replays appeared to show nothing illegal in the tackle but referee Smith put the incident on report after Watene-Zelezniak pointed out the alleged perpetrator and seemed to insist he had been grabbed with what is known as a “squirrel grip”.

The incident was cleared by the bunker, but put on report after an official complain by Watene-Zelezniak alleged he was the victim of a squirrel grip tackle. Picture: Fox League

EELS LAUGHING

The sight of senior Eels Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard walking out to play laughing uproariously would prove a harbinger for home fans.

With hooker Brendan Hands enjoying one of his best games for the blue-and-golds, the visitors scored five tries to four, with the Warriors’ last three tries coming when the game – and almost certainly their season – was over.

Gutherson said his team was under the pump in the first 20 minutes.

“We kept defending, defending, and they were the first ones to crack. The last few months we haven’t taken opportunities. Tonight, 90 per cent of passes stuck,” Gutherson said.

“If we can play like that it’s going to be a fun last five weeks.”

The Eels’ 10-point victory broke a six-game losing streak.

The Eels’ finals hopes may be over, but they dealt a massive blow to the Warriors’ chances/ Picture: NRL Imagery

GUTHO FUMES

A contentious penalty against Will Penisini in the 27th minute for ‘flopping’ on Tuivasa-Sheck who was on his back but not held. In the next set the winger crossed in the northwest corner.

Replays showed dummy runner Kurt Capewell had run in front of Dylan Brown, with Gutherson expressing his displeasure to referee Todd Smith.

“When they run an overs line into our half[back], you want him to hit the deck?” Gutherson asked Smith.

“Do you want me to explain it or not?” Smith replied. “He goes to him before the ball even gets to him on the outside.”

“But it’s an overs line; you can’t go over the line,” Gutherson said.

“I’ve explained it. That’s what happened. That’s what they [the bunker] have assessed,” Smith said.

FANS SAD

The crowd of 23,812 means the Warriors have sold out every home game this season and the usual suspects were out in force again.

There was face-painted Joker guy and Aaron Woods lookalike guy. There were fans with signs that read “Smoked Eel”, “Welcome to the Wahbecue” and “Aw, What’s the Matter-Son?”

Coach Andrew Webster lamented his team’s errors, one-on-one defensive misses and lack of resilience.

“It’s been all year, it’s frustrating. We haven’t shown our potential … it’s just not good enough

“I feel like we dropped our bundle.”

Despite languishing three points out of the Top-8, Webster insisted the Warriors’ season isn’t over.

“Four games, four wins, see what happens. Bye to finish. We haven’t made it easier but we won’t be giving up,” Webster said.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Josh Aloiai labels Joe Ofahengaue a grub after ‘squirrel grip’ allegation