Joe Ofahengaue reckons he didn’t forget how to play rugby league last year, but hopes Michael Maguire can remind him how to do it well.

The former Queensland State of Origin forward experienced a fall from grace last season as Brisbane suffered through a losing slump that resulted in their first NRL wooden spoon.

The 25-year-old was far from the only player out of form, but with two years left to on his Broncos contract he felt like he’d run out of options to play first grade.

And when the Wests Tigers came knocking with a three-year-deal he jumped at the chance for a fresh start in Sydney.

“I didn’t forget how to play footy, we just didn’t have the best year last year,” he said on Monday.

“I can honestly say only two guys really stood out for me in that Broncos team but the rest of us had a bad year and ended up with the wooden spoon.

“Madge (Maguire) has told me just to come here and restart and try to be my best and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Rumours of a rift between player and club emerged with Ofahengaue on the outer and battling to hold onto his place in the team under new Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

However, after 105 NRL games and two Origin matches the prop has a fire in his belly to get back to his best under Maguire.

“Obviously it was very frustrating not knowing where I was going to be playing … I had an extra two years at the Broncos but things happen and people need to move on and I was one of them,” he said.

“I was grateful for my eight years there and I have no grudges against the Broncos or anything.

“I’m not going to lie, (the Tigers was) probably the only option I had to be honest but it was such a blessing.

“I’ve still got a career in the NRL and I owe a lot to the Tigers.

“I’m indebted to the whole club. I know Madge wanted me as a coach but the whole team have accepted me for who I am. I could have stayed at the Broncos but I chose to be here.

“It’s a new challenge for myself and my partner Sofi being away from family, but it’s a sacrifice I’ve got to make.”

It’s the second stint in Sydney for Ofahengaue who was at the Sydney Roosters as a teen before deciding he needed to be at home with his family in Brisbane.