Joe to grab Maroons jersey if he has choice

YOUNG Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue says he will play for Queensland over Tonga if he is forced into a selection dilemma next week.

Ofahengaue has been one of the standouts for Brisbane this year, stepping up alongside Tevita Pangai Jr to prove the young pack is a force to be reckoned with.

He was again one of the Broncos’ best in their disappointing loss to the Storm on Sunday, and his form has not gone unnoticed by Queensland selectors.

Gene Miles was the first to bring Ofahengaue’s name into the selection conversation before Origin I, and fellow selector Darren Lockyer said last week that Ofahengaue was a contender for a debut in Game Two.

However, Ofahengaue is of Tongan descent and has played for the second-tier nation three times in the past, including during last year’s World Cup campaign.

Tonga will play Samoa on the same stand-alone weekend as Origin II and Ofahengaue is expected to be selected by coach Kristian Woolf.

While he is adamant he is not turning his back on the Mate Ma’a, Ofahengaue said he would not pass up the opportunity to play for Queensland if both teams came knocking.

“It’s a no-brainer,” he said. “Everyone knows Queensland and Origin is the top of our sport and it’s the game everyone wants to play.

■ GOLD Coast’s Jack Stockwell will move to the starting front-row for prop Jarrod Wallace (suspension) for the Titans’ clash with Canterbury at Belmore on Saturday.