NRL urged to take action after Zac Lomax exposed by Parramatta Eels teammate during interview
Joe Ofahengaue could be in some hot water with NRL officials.
Joe Ofahengaue could be facing a fine from the NRL after he was spotted ‘dacking’ Parramatta Eels teammate Zac Lomax during an interview with Fox Sports reporter Eloise Sohier on Friday night. Lomax was being interviewed by Sohier on the sideline before the Eels’ trial game with the Knights in Newcastle, which Lomax wasn’t playing.
Ofahengaue could be seen walking past in the background after completing his warm-up, before turning back and sneaking up behind Lomax. Ofahengaue then bent down and pulled Lomax’s shorts to his ankles – a prank colloquially known as ‘dacking’.
Lomax appeared to be wearing underwear and wasn’t completely exposed, although he did appear very embarrassed. Not to mention female reporter Sohier and a number of young kids who would have been watching in the crowd.
The ‘NRL Roast’ account posted the video on social media, describing Ofahengaue’s actions as “cheeky”, and many found it funny to watch. But many more pointed out what a poor look it is for the NRL and called for Ofahengaue to be sanctioned.
It certainly doesn’t send a great message to young female journalists aspiring to work in the NRL that this is how your interviews with star players will be treated. And mums and dads watching at home or in the crowd won’t be thrilled to see this is the culture that they’d be getting their sons or daughters into if they were to play rugby league.
It was clearly a light-hearted prank by Ofahengaue, but it should have been saved for behind closed doors. Sohier would have been put in an extremely uncomfortable position while just trying to do her job.
One person wrote on social media: “This, in front of a female reporter, is immature and wrong.” Another wrote: “This is not funny, it’s disgraceful and embarrassing.” While a third commented: “Not a culture (coach Jason) Ryles would like I bet.”
Dylan Brown makes statement amid $1.2 million Eels drama
On the field, the Ryles era began with a bang as superstar five-eighth Dylan Brown and several new signings steered Parramatta to a 44-18 win over Newcastle. Ronald Volkman was on fire in his first game for 17 months, while rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi showed the future is now.
Brown scored the opening try and looked the goods, amid reports he wants $1.2 million per season to switch clubs. The Knights are one of the teams interested in snaring the Kiwi international if he decides to use his exit clause and sign elsewhere before Round 10.
Fletcher Sharpe looked good at five-eighth for the Knights and appears a lock to play No.6 this season. Although there were a few moments that showed the winger/fullback-cum-half is a work in progress.
Sean O’Sullivan on fire as Dolphins thrash Cowboys
And up in Cairns, Sean O’Sullivan and Kurt Donoghoe starred for the Dolphins’ so-called second-string spine as they scored a sensational 50-8 win over North Queensland. Queensland under-19s gun LJ Nonu scored a hat-trick on the wing to stamp the Ipswich junior as a star in the making, as the Dolphins made a statement in their first game since Wayne Bennett departed to South Sydney.
