NRL 2021: Joe Ofahengaue opens up on pain of being booted by the Broncos

Axed by Kevin Walters, Joe Ofahengaue found a new home at the Wests Tigers. He opens up on the process and the pain ahead of Sunday’s match against his old team.

Joe Ofahengaue at Broncos training on the bottom field. Pic Annette Dew

Joe Ofahengaue says there was more clarity when Wayne Bennett was leading the Broncos.

Ofahengaue became one of the initial big-name causalities of the Kevin Walters era when the Maroons forward was cut loose at the end of last year. On Sunday he finally gets a chance to line-up against his former club after joining the Wests Tigers.

One of the first big decisions Walters made when he took over form Anthony Seibold at the back end of last year was cutting Ofahengaue free. Ofahengaue said the conversation rocked him.

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Joe Ofahengaue was one casualty when Kevin Walters took over at the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew

“The best thing about Brisbane is they are straight forward with their contracts generally,” Ofahengaue said.

“When Wayne was there it was a lot easier to know where you were going and if you were going to stay. With Siebs re-signing us when Kevvie came we obviously weren’t part of his plans. It hurts as footy player. As a footy player you want to be wanted by your club and coach.

“To hear him say you’re not wanted here and to look at other places, it hurt. I’m a grown man and I took it on the chin.”

Ofahengaue recalled what that conversation was like with Walters. It eventually led to him inking a three year deal with the Tigers last November.,

“It was a one-on-one conversation,” Ofahengaue said.

“He said ‘what do you want to do Joffa’. He said he heard stories about me wanting to leave.

Joe Ofahengaue found a new team at the Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I told him it was all fake. He said ‘well if you have an option out there, I think it’s best for you to look elsewhere’. I was shocked and hurt. I had awesome players that always told me that it’s not always going to be like this. Darius (Boyd) always gave me good advice about his experience and leaving clubs. It all made sense in the end. If you don’t deliver they are going to have to move you on and that’s what happened.

“I got to experience the highs at Brisbane but last year was one of my lowest times. I’m grateful for what the club did for me

“Luckily for me the Tigers needed another prop.”

A conversation with Tigers coach Michael Maguire led Ofahengaue to the club. Maguire told him he was not reaching his potential at the Broncos and Ofahengaue agreed.

Before his exit though Ofahengaue caused a storm when he unfollowed the Broncos Instagram account.

“I unfollowed the Broncos, NRL, Fox because I wanted to refresh myself,” Ofahengaue said. “I didn’t want to see the footy. Some fans thought I unfollowed the Broncos during the time I was leaving. But I just wanted to refresh my mind and I was sick of footy. I had just had the worst year of my career.”

Joe Ofahengaue and his Wests Tigers teammates arrive at their hub at the Novotel. Picture: Annette Dew

BRONCOS BLOW FORCES LATE RESHUFFLE FOR TIGERS CLASH

The Broncos have been forced into a late reshuffle with Queensland winger Xavier Coates failing to back-up from Origin duty for Sunday’s clash against Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.

Coates played in Queensland’s face-saving 20-18 defeat of the Blues in Origin III on Wednesday night, but he trained with Brisbane’s second-string Renegades at the captain’s run at Red Hill on Saturday morning.

It is understood Coates did not suffer a serious injury in the final game of the Origin series at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.

The resting of Coates opens the door for utility back Jamayne Isaako, who will partner Corey Oates on the flanks as the Broncos eye a second consecutive win against the Tigers after their last-start 26-18 defeat of Cronulla.

The timing of Isaako’s return is compelling with the Kiwi Test winger having held talks with Wests Tigers officials in May. Tigers coach Michael Maguire is a fan of Isaako, having worked with the goalkicking ace as New Zealand’s Test coach.

Isaako is contracted to the Broncos until the end of next season and he can make a statement to Maguire with a slick display against the Tigers.

Xavier Coates will miss Brisbane’s clash with Wests Tigers. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

It has been a rollercoaster season for Isaako, who started the premiership opener in March at fullback, but was axed after a horror display in Brisbane’s 52-24 loss to the Dragons in round 13.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters dismissed any injury concerns for Coates as he backed Isaako to perform against the Tigers club that appears keen to poach him.

“We decided to give Xavier the weekend off … Jamayne did a good job for us replacing him against the Sharks (in round 16),” Walters said.

“Xavier was disappointed at not being able to play, but I’m sure we will see Xavier back in a Broncos jersey soon.

“Jamayne now he has his opportunity on the wing. You are only as good as your last game and Jamayne’s last game was really good for us.

“It’s a good opportunity for him to play outside Kotoni (Staggs) so Jamayne gets another chance to show his wares on the wing.”

Jamayne Isaako trained on the right wing for the Broncos.

While Coates is an Origin casualty, NSW enforcer Payne Haas pulled up well from Game Three and will spearhead Brisbane’s pack against the Tigers after training strongly on Saturday.

Haas was outstanding in Brisbane’s defeat of the Sharks and Walters is banking on his engine-room workrate to claim their fifth victory of the season, which could move the Broncos three wins clear of last-placed Canterbury.

The Broncos could finish the weekend just two wins outside the top eight and Walters is refusing to give up hope of a finals campaign.

“The dream (of finals) is still alive from my point of view,” he said.

Jamayne Isaako gets a chance to step up for the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“We showed last game against the Sharks that we are more than capable, defensively that was our best performance of the season, but we need to back that up.

“We had a reset a few weeks back and it’s up to the players now to do the job.

“We are trying to get off the bottom. It’s a big game for both us and the Tigers. We need to be defending as a unit because the Tigers can score some points if you give them enough space.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Joe Ofahengaue opens up on pain of being booted by the Broncos