Latest news with #JoeOfahengaue
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Joe Ofahengaue stars in Leigh's statement victory over St Helens
Leigh Leopards further underlined their position as bona fide Super League title contenders with another statement victory, this time winning at fourth-placed St Helens to close the gap further on the competition's top two. A month ago, Leigh conceded 50 points at Leeds and with fixtures against the league leaders Hull KR, second-placed Wigan and the Saints on the horizon, it was not inconceivable to consider whether the Leopards could find themselves in a scramble just to make the play-offs in the final two months of the season. However, they have won all three games to not only solidify their position inside the top six but mount an assault on Hull KR and Wigan above them. Adrian Lam's side are now just one point behind the Warriors and three behind the Robins after their first victory at St Helens since 1982. Against a Saints side who themselves had aspirations of a top-two finish and a home semi-final in the play-offs having won five games in a row, Leigh were defensively meticulous and clinical when it mattered at the other end, with Joe Ofahengaue's second half try sealing another eye-catching win. A Championship side just three years ago, Leigh have emerged as one of Super League's best clubs on and off the field and are firmly in the conversation for the Grand Final. The game has not had a first-time winner at Old Trafford since Leeds in 2004; suddenly, it is not outrageous to suggest the Leopards could end that wait. The game had all the hallmarks of an early sighting of the play-offs. It was eye-wateringly intense from start to finish and you always felt that every point would be crucial. That was emphasised when the Leopards twice opted to kick penalties from the boot of Gareth O'Brien to take a four-point lead at half-time. In contrast the Saints – who avoided being nilled at home for the first time in the Super League only through Harry Robertson's late consolation – opted to chance their arm and run the ball instead of taking kickable penalties. That proved to be fatal come full time, as their attack failed to muster anything significant to trouble a wonderful Leigh defensive effort. The Leopards then struck a decisive blow midway through the second half. With the Saints still stuttering offensively, Edwin Ipape teed up for Ofahengaue, who barged through three defenders to touch down and give O'Brien a simple conversion to make it 10-0. Could St Helens respond? In short, no. They continued to toil away without any success in attack, with Paul Wellens bizarrely opting to use only two of his interchanges all evening and keeping Jon Bennison and Leon Cowen on the bench. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion And victory was assured in the final stages. After an error from Kyle Feldt the ball found its way to Ofahengaue, one of several magnificent recruits from the NRL in recent years that have transformed this club, and he crossed unchallenged to make it 16-0. Robertson's consolation with seconds left mattered little in terms of the outcome. It was an historic evening on a number of fronts. Records are there to be broken – and perhaps a first league title since 1982 is now not out of the question for a club who were making up the numbers just a few short years ago.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Impressive Leigh secure rare victory at Saints
Betfred Super LeagueSt Helens (0) 4Try: RobertsonLeigh (4) 16Tries: Ofahengaue 2 Goals: O'Brien 4 Prop Joe Ofahengaue scored both Leigh Leopards tries as his side pulled off their first victory at St Helens since 1982 and kept up the pressure on Super League's top crossed midway through the second half to provide the Leopards with some breathing space after two Gareth O'Brien penalties had put them 4-0 up at the who went into the game on the back of five straight victories, enjoyed plenty of possession but could not break down Leigh's gritty capitalised to grab a second try after Kyle Feldt spilled Lachlan Lam's kick and, although Harry Robertson belatedly put Saints on the scoresheet, it was too late to prevent the Leopards moving to within a point of second-placed to follow. St Helens: Sailor, Feldt, Robertson, Whitley, Dagnall, Lomax, Mbye, Walmsley, Wingfield, Delaney, Sironen, Lees, Bennison, Paasi, Whitby, CowenLeigh: Hodgson, Brand, Niu, Hanley, Charnley, O'Brien, Lam, Trout, Ipape, Ofahengaue, Halton, Hughes, McNamara, Tuitavake, Davis, Chris Kendall.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leigh survive scare to beat Catalans and go third
Betfred Super LeagueCatalans Dragons (6) 12Tries: Pangai Junior, Makinson Goals: Makinson 2Leigh Leopards (12) 26Tries: Niu, Brand, Ofahengaue, Armstrong Goals: O'Brien 5 Joe Ofahengaue and David Armstrong scored late tries as Leigh Leopards beat Catalans Dragons 26-12 to go third in Super had come from 12-0 down to level through tries from Tevita Pangai Junior and Tommy Makinson but fell to a sixth-straight league Niu and Keanan Brand had both crossed to help give Leigh a half-time ran away with the game when Pangai Junior was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle, but Gareth O'Brien's performance with the boot was crucial as he scored a penalty before full-time to add to his four to follow Catalans Dragons: Tomkins, Makinson, Laguerre, Darrelatour, Cotric, Keary, Rouge, Satae, Da Costa, Maria, Romano, Seguier, PartingtonInterchanges: Pangai Juniorr, Bousquet, Sironen, DezariaLeigh Leopards: Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, O'Brien, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, LiuInterchanges: Tuitavake, Davis, O'Neill, McNamaraReferee: Liam Rush
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leigh clinch dramatic win at Wakefield
Betfred Super LeagueWakefield (12) 20Tries: Jowitt, Pratt, Hall Goals: Jowitt (4)Leigh (18) 24Tries: Armstrong (2) McIntosh, Ofahengaue Goals: McNamara (4) Leigh Leopards edged out Wakefield Trinity in a thriller on an emotional day at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. The game was dedicated to Trinity coach Daryl Powell's grandson Clarke, who has leukaemia and led the teams out. Both sides could have won it but Joe Ofahengaue's late try was the crucial swing after other scores from David Armstrong and Darnell only led for a short period in the second half despite tries from Max Jowitt, Oliver Pratt and Corey to follow Wakefield: Jowitt, Russell, Hall, Pratt, Johnstone, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Vagana, Croft, Griffin, PittsInterchanges: Cozza, Rourke, Smith, Faatili, NikotemoLeigh: Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, McNamara, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, LiuInterchanges: Hughes, Tuitavake, Davis, Hodgson, CharnleyReferee: Jack Smith.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leigh sign Tonga prop Ofahengaue
Leigh Leopards have signed Tonga prop Joe Ofahengaue until former Queensland State of Origin player has been picked up on a three-and-a-half-year deal after being granted an early release from his contract by Parramatta Eels after playing in the opening six rounds of the New Zealand-born player has also played for Brisbane Broncos and Wests Tigers in a 10-year 29-year-old joins a Leigh squad which has reached the play-offs in the two seasons since they were promoted to Super League, and are fifth this year after winning four of their seven coach Adrian Lam said Ofahengaue would add punch up front to the Leopards. "Joe is a player that I have watched and admired for a very long time," he told the club website., external"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."
