Brisbane: Two years ago Haumole Olakau’atu ran onto the State of Origin arena in a suit, an unwanted entrance that landed him a two-game suspension.
On Monday, the Manly second-rower looks sure to be handed a return to Origin – this time in a Blues jersey – following a barnstorming display against the Wests Tigers.
The 27-year-old delivered the most compelling of auditions to NSW coach Laurie Daley as the Sea Eagles continued their renaissance under Kieran Foran with a 46-18 win to rise into the top four.
Olakau’atu played two games off the bench in the 2024 interstate series before being relegated to 19th man for the decider. It was in that capacity that he rushed onto Suncorp Stadium as a melee broke out.
His on-field activity will be fully sanctioned in his next Origin outing at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week if, as presumed, he features on Daley’s right edge.
Olakau’atu was a frightening sight for the Queensland audience as well as the under-strength Tigers on day two of Magic Round on Saturday.
Whether it was steamrolling defenders, charging over the try line to score or setting up teammates outside him, the 113kg forward was unstoppable.
He had 11 tackle breaks including a fend that left Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth on his backside in his 100th NRL game.
“I don’t think he can do any more,” Foran said of his Origin selection prospects. “I think Haumole has been outstanding, the whole season he has been near our best player.
“He just takes so much energy out of the opposition in the way he carries the footy. And defensively he’s been exceptional as well. I absolutely love the guy.”
Manly captain Jake Trbojevic added his endorsement: “Size him up. He’s honestly got to be in there.”
In the only potential setback for the Sea Eagles, winger Lehi Hopoate was placed on report for contacting referee Grant Atkins while in pursuit of a kick, an incident that left the whistle-blower on the turf.
The Tigers are more concerned about who will be available for them after an upcoming bye, with a potentially season-ending dislocated shoulder suffered by centre Taylan May adding to their extensive casualty ward and halfback Jock Madden being sent for a scan over a hamstring concern.
On top of that May’s centre partner Patrick Herbert was placed on report for a grapple tackle and a separate head slam on Hopoate.
It capped a forgettable afternoon for the Tigers, with early season optimism erased by three consecutive defeats in which they have conceded 142 points.
If there was a “negative smell” around the Tigers – as coach Benji Marshall put it – after blowouts against Cronulla and Melbourne it became a stench in Brisbane, where they trailed 18-0 after only 16 minutes and missed 43 tackles.
“We’re in a bit of a hole at the moment, down on troops and not playing the footy we want to play,” Marshall said.
“[We’re] lacking a bit of confidence and resilience and again we weren’t good enough today.”
The Tigers have a considerable list of absentees – Api Koroisau, Adam Doueihi, Jahream Bula and Samuela Fainu and Alex Twal were all missing against Manly.
Koroisau returns from suspension in their next game against the Bulldogs and Marshall also hopes to have Bula back on board from a shoulder issue.
Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai said they had to remain positive with a 5-5 season record and “walk towards this challenging period and work it out ourselves”.
“That’s the only people that’s going to dig us out,” Luai said.
As Manly ran amok, on Olakau’atu’s right side in particular, winger Jason Saab posted a treble and fullback Clayton Faulalo, filling in admirably for Tom Trbojevic, had a field day.
In another Origin statement, electric Manly centre Tolutau Koula also shone on the other flank, highlighted by a fabulous long-range individual try.
With Latrell Mitchell under an injury cloud due to a back injury and Bradman Best ruled out on Saturday, the 23-year-old Tonga international could come into the NSW frame.
In a team with no shortage of top performers, prop Taniela Paseka and evergreen interchange forward Nathan Brown also made strong impressions while the returning Jamal Fogarty combined well in the halves with ex-Tiger Luke Brooks.
A sixth victory in seven games since Foran took over as Manly coach from Anthony Seibold, it was the latest chapter of a remarkable turnaround for the Sea Eagles.