State of Origin 2: Haumole Olakau’atu to turn back on NSW in favour of Tonga
BUZZ: The man seen by many as a NSW State of Origin saviour is set to turn his back on the Blues, while another star is also in doubt over an eligibility drama.
Manly Sea Eagles forward Haumole Olakau’atu, seen by many as a NSW State of Origin saviour, is to turn his back on a Blues jersey.
And in a further blow for NSW, incumbent winger Daniel Tupou is also considering playing for Tonga in the mid-year Test against New Zealand ahead of the Blues on the same weekend as Origin II.
NSW coach Brad Fittler says he is aware of the doubts around Tupou and will speak to the Roosters winger on Tuesday about the situation.
“I assumed originally he might want to play for Tonga,” Fittler told The Daily Telegraph.
“I haven’t broached the subject with him at all. He’s had a big few days so we’ll have a yarn during the week.”
If Tupou was to withdraw, it would open the door for his 18-year-old Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii to come into the starting line-up.
Olakau’atu is a fascinating story.
He scored a try and had 16 runs for 162m, an unbelievable 10 tackle busts, three linebreaks and 21 tackles in a devastating performance in Manly’s 30-4 win over Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
He was a member of last year’s emerging Blues squad but wants to play for Tonga against New Zealand on Saturday week, the day before the Perth Origin game.
He is turning his back on a potential $30,000 from Origin match payments for love of his heritage.
There has also been a question mark about his commitment to the NSW jersey.
After Queensland’s Origin win last week, the strapping forward posted on social media: “Been a Maroons since day dot.”
We then asked Manly’s media manager Wayne Cousins to check it out.
Cousins came back to us and said: “Haumole said he’s committed to Tonga and he’s followed Queensland all his life.”
He is unusual in that he was born in Guilford of Tongan heritage and is a Parramatta Eels junior.
The 23-year-old debuted at Manly in 2019 and played his 40th NRL match against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Sunday.
It was when he was mentioned on NRL360 last week as a possible contender to boost the Blues side for Origin II in Perth, Olakau’atu did post: “Been a Maroons since day dot.”
His manager Mario Tartak says the Queensland line on social media was simply a joke with his brothers.
“Long term he wants to play for NSW,” Tartak said.
“He loves State of Origin but he’s passionate about his Tongan heritage and is keen to play in this Test match against the Kiwis.”
Fittler was caught by surprise over Olakau’atu’s stance.
“I didn’t know anything about that,” he said, “I enjoy watching him play.
“He’s doing a great job for Manly and he’s got plenty of potential.”
Tupou had already indicated he wanted to represent Tonga instead of Australia at the end of year world cup but could become the first high profile player this series to elect to play for a Pacific nation instead of playing for NSW.
Tupou was a guaranteed starter for the Blues after performing strongly in the Origin opener having beaten out Josh Addo-Carr for a wing spot.
The decision could follow a similar path to that of Andrew Fifita, who, at the peak of his powers, stood down from Origin to represent Tonga in 2018. Tongan officials will reach out to Tupou on Monday before they select their team on Tuesday.
There were also doubts surrounding Kotoni Staggs’ availability, although his place in the NSW team is in doubt.
The Blues hierarchy may need to decide if they will throw Suaalii into a must-win game or recall the out-of-favour Addo-Carr.
Blues coach Brad Fittler knows what it is like to play for NSW at a tender age — being the youngest to play for NSW at 18 years and 114 days. If Suaalii is picked he will become just the second 18-year-old to play for the Blues.
He will be 18 years 329 days by the time Origin two kicks-off and will have just 15 NRL appearances to his name.
Suaalii went close to appearing in the Origin opener but was instead a member of the extended squad.