Leigh Leopards are delighted to confirm the signing of Tonga international prop forward Joe Ofahengaue from Parramatta Eels on a three-and-a-half-year contract to the end of the 2028 season.

Ofahengaue, 29, is a vastly experienced and highly respected NRL and State of Origin forward. An imposing physical presence, standing 6ft 3 and weighing over 18 stones, he has over 200 NRL appearances to his name and has represented Tonga on seven occasions. He has played for Queensland in three State of Origin games.

Leopards’ Head of Rugby Chris Chester worked hard to secure the signing, working alongside head coach Adrian Lam. Mr Chester also paid tribute to the continued financial backing and support of club owner Derek Beaumont.

Mr Chester said: “Joe is a huge signing for the club for the rest of the current season and three years beyond.

“He’s an unbelievable player with a wealth of experience who has played for his country, in State of Origin and as a first grade regular for over ten years. Joe will add size and power to our middle unit.

“Despite all that to his name he’s still at a relatively young age and we feel his best rugby years are still ahead of him. I’m delighted to get his signature over the line.

“Adrian and I spoke to him, and he’s thrilled to be joining the Leopards. I must thank Mark O’Neill, the football manager at the Eels, for agreeing to Joe’s release. I played with Mark at Hull KR in 2007 and we have a good relationship. I’d also like to acknowledge the great assistance of Joe’s representative, Paul Sutton.

“Most of all I’d like to thank Derek for his continued investment in the club which makes huge signings such as this one possible.

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam said: “Joe is a player that I have watched and admired for a very long time.

“Joe has always been a great leader within the group and now with over 200 NRL games he will bring another level of experience with him to our squad 

“Joe is a big body, who is explosive in both attack and defence, and is a player who will fit into our team perfectly. 

“He is the exact player that we need to boost our forward pack size and a lead from the front.

“As mentioned, Joe has over 200 NRL matches experience, he has played State of Origin and has played test matches for his country.

“His arrival into the Leopards Den will be very timely and will lift the group to another level.

“I have spoken to Joe and he and his wife and family are very excited for the next part of this journey. He has followed Leigh Leopards closely and knows the trajectory we are on as a club and he wants to be a part of that moving forward.

“He feels his best rugby is still in front of him and he hopes he can win the Leigh fans over with his tough, rugged, direct and aggressive style of rugby and is looking forward to playing in front of our fans.”

Auckland born of Tongan descent, Ofahengaue made his NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos in 2015 and over the course of six seasons as a first-grade regular clocked up over one hundred appearances. He then moved to Wests Tigers before joining the Eels during 2023.

After moving to Australia as a nine-year-old Ofahengaue played his junior rugby with Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos and in 2014 represented Queensland under-20s and the Junior Kangaroos.

He marked his first season in first grade by playing in the NRL Grand Final when Broncos lost 17-16 in golden point extra time to a North Queensland Cowboys team that included ex-Leopards’ captain John Asiata. He completed a momentous breakthrough season by making his international debut for Tonga.

After establishing himself in first grade Ofahengaue’s stand-out, powerhouse performances saw him earn Queensland selection in 2019 and play a starring role in Tonga Invitational’s historic 16-12 victory over Australia in Auckland.

Ofahengaue won the Wests Tigers’ player of the year award in 2022 before leaving the club in mid-season 2023 to join Parramatta, for whom he played in the opening six rounds of the current season.

Joe Ofahengaue is sponsored by JJ Harrison PVC Products Limited.

On behalf of the company, Matthew Collier, Director, said: “Another great signing from Derek, Adrian Lam and Chris Chester! There have been a lot of unsavoury comments and posts on social media over the past week regarding transfers and if this isn’t a message for all us fans to sit back and relax, let these Guys do their business, behind the scenes, I’m not sure what is. 

“Once again they’re making huge statement signings for all fans to enjoy watching week in week out, making a Leopards fan be more enjoyable to watch year on year. We need to all be more patient and thankful that this team/club is where it’s at now and all do our bit to get behind the club and players in any which way we can, regardless of which players come and go. 

“Myself, John and Peter are showing our support to the club and their vision off the back of our successful Main sponsorship for the Academy and Scholarship teams in contributing to player sponsorship to keep pushing this Club to the top. 

“We can’t wait to welcome Joe to the Leopards Den, under the lights with a capacity crowd and the Leythers in full voice. Let’s go Leopards!”

Club Owner Derek Beaumont said: “I have complete trust and faith in Chris and Adrian and have every reason to do so. They have driven this team from a treble winning Championship team into successful play-offs, increasing to the semi finals last year and won the Challenge Cup.

“We sit in our third consecutive year in Super League for the first time in our history and currently occupy a play-off spot, having played away to the top three clubs in Hull KR, Hull FC and Wigan, taking three points, having lost only once at home and are in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup. 

“I therefore had no issue with being patient and trusting the process of what level of player needed to be added to the squad, to improve us as a group and what we can offer. There’s some old sayings ‘names don’t win games’ and ‘it’s not who you know, it’s what you know.’

“Convincing the right type of player your coach and head of rugby want to leave part way through a season from a NRL club, in which he was in the starting 13, having played over 200 first grade games and international and origin takes time and the right deal. I was happy to give my full support to the direction Adrian and Chris advised we should take and show the patience needed for Chris to see that work through.

“I would like to thank JJ Harrison for their significant sponsorship to support the signing, another sign of our growth, in the speed at which they entered into supporting the academy into significant player sponsorship and a table at all games. 

“Like them I cant wait to see Joe join the rest of our fantastic group and pull on the Leopards shirt and who knows that could well be at our neighbours Salford next week. On that note I would urge as many of our fans as possible to make the trip, to not only support our boys but to show our friendly rivals some financial support in their time of need. 

“If we could take the following we did to the semi final we really could make a statement of support to them. Wishing all our staff, players, partners, sponsors and fans a relaxing Easter break.”