Before people read into the headline. Relax. He is still coming. Just merely wont be official for a few more days now.
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.
Replies
This is a dead set disgrace by the Tigers. What if he gets injured the deal could be off if he's seriously injured. Its farcical. They're out of the running for the finals.
Can't make this shit up. NRL should step in.
If I was the club I'd be putting our foot down and playing hard ball with the Tigers and telling them the deal is off if they don't release him immediately.
This is nuts. Joe should call the lawyers in. The Tigers agreed and now they're threatening his future by risking him in a game he wasn't selected for. No way he should play in that game.
He will be here but geez the tigers always embraces themselves some how
If I was Joe I'd grab my hamstring in the warm up or fake a positive covid test
There ducking season is over. Why don't they let a junior player they r keeping get an opportunity if they are releasing Joe O. Complete shit. Get the lawyers in and fk that shit hole of a club
Sorry i still Smell a RAT
If I were him I'd simply pull a sickie . Easy as that. "Sorry Benchi mate I've woken up a bit under thre weather , showing symptoms of COVID "
This is due to Wests believing they can beat NQ, so they will want their best team. Though, contrary to that, if he is in their best line-up why let him go? Unless Sheens is simply wanting only players that want to be there.
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