The wait is finally over for Joe Ofahengaue.
Wayne Bennett has welcomed back Ofahengaue from the rugby league wilderness for Friday night's NRL clash with South Sydney after revealing the young forward had "got ahead of himself".
The 21-year-old will play for the Broncos for the first time since Round 21 last year after replacing bench forward Tevita Pangai Jr, who is out for up to two months with a finger injury.
Bennett said Ofahengaue now knew what it took to be an NRL player after losing his way in 2016.
"Joe probably got a bit ahead of himself and he had to go back and appreciate what playing the NRL really means," the Brisbane coach said.
"He's done a great job of himself in the last couple of weeks.
"His form's good and he's ready to go".
After a dream debut season, Ofahengaue played in the 2015 grand final before his form dropped off last year but still managed 17 games. He has forced the NRL door open again after scans this week revealed major finger tendon damage for Pangai Jnr.
Asked if Ofahengaue had needed an attitude adjustment after his 2015 success, Bennett said: "I don't think it was an attitude thing.
"They just get opportunities and get ahead of themselves and think they have really made it when they haven't.
"You never really make it. Every week you have to prove whether you are up for the game regardless of whether you have played one or 100 games."
