Manly’s interim coach Kieran Foran has thrown his support behind Haumole Olakau’atu to make a comeback in the State of Origin after an impressive performance against the Eels on Sunday. Olakau’atu, who last represented the Blues in the second game of the 2024 series under Michael Maguire, has yet to secure his spot this season, previously being named in the reserves.
He will face stiff competition for a place in the New South Wales back row, joining the ranks of Hudson Young, Angus Crichton, Jacob Preston, and Liam Martin. However, Foran remains optimistic about Olakau’atu’s prospects, asserting, “Without a doubt, he should be picked. I don’t think anyone else comes close to him in his position.” Foran acknowledged the talent pool in the back row but described Olakau’atu as a unique athlete with exceptional abilities.
In the recent match, Olakau’atu showcased his skills by racking up an impressive 226 run metres—the highest in the match—alongside nine tackle breaks, demonstrating his significant impact on the game. Remarkably, throughout Manly’s seven matches this season, Olakau’atu has only failed to achieve 100 run metres twice, both under the previous coaching regime of Anthony Seibold. Since Foran took over, his performance has seen a notable upswing, consistently surpassing 177 metres in his runs.
Foran remarked on Olakau’atu’s incredible form, stating, “He’s been unbelievable all year. I can’t praise him highly enough. The sky’s the limit for him as a player. He possesses something special that few others do, which is evident in his performances.” He commended Olakau’atu’s aggressive play style on both attack and defence, contributing significantly to the team’s competitiveness.
Additionally, Foran highlighted Olakau’atu’s maturation as a player, observing his evolution over the years since he joined the NRL. He noted, “Haumole has developed tremendously. He’s more refined and aware of his potential now.” Foran believes that while Olakau’atu remains humble and prefers not to seek recognition, he needs to acknowledge his own abilities to continue excelling. “If he carries on like this for us, we have a strong chance in every match,” he added.
In conclusion, Kieran Foran’s endorsement of Olakau’atu for State of Origin selection reflects not only the player’s current form but also his growth as a mature athlete ready to seize opportunities at the highest level of rugby league.