Origin hope Ofahengaue is Tongan at heart
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 younger pack are a force to be reckoned with.
He was once again one of the Broncos’ best in their disappointing loss to the Storm over the weekend, and his form has not gone unnoticed by Queensland selectors.
Gene Miles was the first to bring Ofahengaue’s name into the selection conversation ahead of Origin I and fellow Maroons selector Darren Lockyer claimed just last week that he is a contender for a Game 2 debut.
However, Ofahengaue is also of Tongan descent and has played for the second- tier nation three times in the past, including during last year’s World Cup. Tonga will play Samoa on the same stand- alone weekend as Origin II and Ofahengaue is expected to be selected by coach Kristian Woolf.
But, 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. “It’s a no- brainer,” he said. “If I was get to picked ( for Queensland) over Tonga, I would pick Origin but I am still loyal to Tonga.
“I’m still available for Tonga.”