NRL Market Watch: Wests Tigers delay Joe Ofahengaue’s move to Parramatta

Joe Ofahengaue was on his way from the Wests Tigers to Parramatta in a key mid-season transfer until disaster struck leaving one club red faced and the other furious.

Wests Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue.

The Wests Tigers have been left red-faced after informing key forward Joe Ofahengaue he can join a rival club, only to then ask him to stay and play one more game.

The embarrassing contract twist has emerged after it was revealed on Thursday that the 2022 Wests Tigers Player of The Year was poised to sign a Two-and-a-half year contract with Parramatta, effective immediately.

Ofahengaue and his agent agreed to terms on the deal with the Eels on Wednesday night after the Tigers recently told him he was free to leave and talk to rival clubs.

He attended a medical assessment at Parramatta on Thursday morning, with the Eels planning to start Ofahengaue in their NSW Cup clash with South Sydney on Friday night.

Originally, Parramatta were hoping to finalise the deal prior to last Tuesday’s team naming in order for him to be part of their NRL squad to play the Rabbitohs.

However, the Wests Tigers have been holding back the final release.

It can be revealed why, with the Eels left stunned to learn that the contract was being delayed by the Tigers due to the possible withdrawal of a forward from the Wests Tigers’ clash with North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.

It’s understood Tigers teammate and fellow forward Fonua Pole is in doubt due to illness.

Eels officials are rightfully questioning why Wests want to play a player they are happy to release.

The Tigers’ request for Ofahengaue to play one more game has also left Eels officials fuming, who know that the former Origin forward is now at risk of injury by playing one more game.

As is the case, Ofahengaue will need to undergo a second medical assessment with the Eels, if he ends up playing against the Cowboys.

An injury could put the deal in jeopardy.

The 161-game player was originally selected on the Tigers’ bench for the clash with North Queensland.

The Eels believe the 27-year-old — who has played three Origins for the Maroons and six Tests for Tonga — will add starch and potency to their front-row rotation of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.

HOW THE DEAL ALMOST GOT DONE

Former Queensland State of Origin forward Joe Ofahengaue is poised to sign a three-year contract to join Parramatta immediately, ending his career at the Wests Tigers.

The Wests Tigers 2022 Player of The Year has agreed in principle to join the Eels after being shopped by the Tigers to rival clubs over the past month.

Ofahengaue is expected to formally sign his new contract with the Eels on Thursday.

It’s likely that the hard-running middle-forward has played his last game for the Tigers and will be withdrawn from their NRL line-up to face Cowboys on Saturday night.

Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue is on the move. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The 161-game player was selected on the Tigers bench for the clash with North Queensland.

The Eels believe the 27-year-old - who has played three Origins for the Maroons and six Tests for Tonga - will add starch and potency to their front-row rotation of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.

Parramatta recently secured former Eel Andrew Davey in a mid-season switch from Canterbury to aid their edge forward stocks.

The North Queensland Cowboys had also expressed an interest in Ofahengaue, who has endured a disjointed start to the NRL season.

He was dumped to reserve grade after the Tigers’ round 3 loss to Canterbury, but has reclaimed his spot in recent weeks, where he has played off the bench.

Ofahengaue is averaging less than 40 minutes in his third season with the Tigers, having spent the previous six years with the Brisbane Broncos.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are planning to blow the New Zealand Warriors out of the water by offering halfback Shaun Johnson a two-year to join the club from 2024.

The Eels’ forward stocks have taken a hit this season with Campbell-Gillard (groin) and edge back-rower Shaun Lane (hamstring) sidelined with injury.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Wests Tigers delay Joe Ofahengaue’s move to Parramatta