Adrian Lam provides Leigh Leopards recruitment update and makes Joe Ofahengaue admission

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam admits there is a chance Joe Ofahengaue could make his Super League debut this weekend against Salford Red Devils. The Leopards announced the signing of Ofahengaue last week following his release from Parramatta Eels, with the prop forward signing a deal until the end of the 2028 season.

He will make the journey across to the north west of England this week, with Lam revealing he is due to report to Leigh training for the first time on Friday. Speaking after the club’s win over Warrington Wolves on Saturday, Lam cast doubt on the forward’s ability to play against the Red Devils on Saturday, but the head coach now admits there’s a possibility he could be involved.

Ofahengaue is expected to be named in Leigh’s 21-man squad this lunchtime and Lam admits a late call will be made on whether to go with the Tonga international.

“He won’t arrive until Friday morning,” the Leigh Leopards head coach said. “It’s probably a little bit too late to play him in that Salford game on Saturday.

“If he’s feeling alright we’ll have a late call on it. We’ll probably include him in the 21, which needs to be in tomorrow at lunchtime, I think that would be the smartest thing.

“We do have some niggling injuries in training with a few of our forwards so that’s not ideal and we may have to play Joe in the end but his arrival here will be great for the group. Over 200 NRL appearances, played State of Origin, played Test matches, he’s a big body and hopefully he’s one of those players who can fit straight in with the group.”

Asked what his conversations with Ofahengaue have been like, Lam added: “We’ve been getting a feel on his arrival times obviously but just finding out if there’s been anything historically in the past with injuries, as you do with all players you bring over.

“The majority of the conversation has been about his role here and the importance and timing of it. He’s pretty clear on that. As much as he’ll give us some impact in the Challenge Cup, it will take him six to 10 weeks to really settle in and play his best rugby.”

Leigh Leopards salary cap update

Lam has spoken regularly about Leigh’s position when it comes to the salary cap, with the club having space to bring the right player in. The addition of Ofahengaue doesn’t change that too much, either with the head coach declaring the Leopards still have plenty of room for manoeuvre under the cap.

“We’re at full quota cap but not financially, we’re still going pretty good with that scenario,” Lam said. “Always looking out, I think the key to recruitment and retention is the ability to make sure you keep your finger on the pulse with all of that.

“It’s something I think we’ve done really well as a club and Derek putting us in a position to spend the money that’s available is always helpful. We understand where we’re at, we needed a front-rower and we’ve gone out and gone one but we’re always in the market for players to make sure we get better. Most clubs are but we’re certainly in that position.”