Joe Ofahengaue’s prank on Zac Lomax has sparked controversy within the NRL community.
NRL great Corey Parker has criticized Ofahengaue for pulling down his new teammate’s pants during a live television interview with Fox League reporter Eloise Sohier. Lomax, who was not playing in the Eels’ first trial match of the season, was speaking about his first pre-season with Parramatta when Ofahengaue approached from behind and ‘dacked’ him on air. Fortunately, Lomax was wearing underwear, preventing further embarrassment, but the interview was abruptly cut short.
The incident, which took place in front of a crowd that included children and a working reporter, has been widely condemned. While similar pranks have occurred in the NRL—such as Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Munster and Harry Grant pantsing a South Sydney trainer in 2023—Ofahengaue’s actions drew immediate backlash due to the setting and the presence of a female journalist.
Following the prank, Parramatta officials instructed Ofahengaue to apologize to Sohier, with club general manager Mark O’Neill reportedly acting swiftly after the match. Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos also reached out to Fox Sports to issue an apology. While the NRL is not expected to take further action, Parker expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that players must be mindful of their behavior, especially with families watching.
Speaking on SEN Radio, Parker stated, “In the dressing room, around the boys, it has its place. But live on television, in front of a grandstand, it was completely inappropriate. If Zac wasn’t wearing underwear, it could have been disastrous. Read the room—this gave off a really bad look.”
Other NRL figures, including Greg Alexander and Andrew Voss, questioned why Munster and Grant’s prank from two years ago didn’t receive the same level of criticism, speculating that the difference lay in the presence of a female reporter. Meanwhile, journalist Michael Carayannis noted that the Eels’ coaching staff was likely unimpressed by a veteran player engaging in such behavior.
Despite the controversy, Ofahengaue is unlikely to face disciplinary action from the league. However, the incident has served as a reminder for players to be more aware of their actions on and off
the field.
