Foran Throws Support Behind Olakau’atu Amidst Origin Snub Controversy
Manly coach Kieran Foran has publicly backed star forward Haumole Olakau’atu following his surprising omission from the New South Wales State of Origin squad for the crucial second game of the series. The decision by Blues coach Laurie Daley to instead select Knights playmaker Dylan Lucas has left many within the rugby league community scratching their heads, with little official explanation provided.
While Lucas has been a standout performer for Newcastle and is widely considered a deserving candidate for Origin selection, the fact that Olakau’atu, who was initially named as the 20th man for Game 2, couldn’t secure a spot in the final 19-man squad has sparked considerable debate.
Olakau’atu played a significant role for the Blues in their Game 1 victory over Queensland at the MCG. He led all NSW forwards in run metres and set a strong defensive tone early on with his effective kick pressure on Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo. However, he did experience some cramp in the latter stages of the match and was eventually substituted.
Following Game 1, Olakau’atu was rested for Manly’s subsequent loss to Cronulla. He made a strong return in the Sea Eagles’ Round 14 win against Souths, where he was among their best performers. In that match, the imposing back-rower amassed an impressive 250 metres, including 116 metres post-contact, broke six tackles, and contributed to a try in Manly’s 14-point victory.
Foran, echoing the sentiments of many keen observers, believes Olakau’atu has been the most dominant back-rower in the NRL this season. The Manly coach expressed his profound disappointment at the Origin axing.
“I’m extremely disappointed for Haumole, and I wouldn’t want any other back-rower in the game other than him,” Foran stated. “He’s a true professional, Haumole, and he’s a team player. He’ll do whatever is required for his side and his state.”
Emerging Theories Behind Olakau’atu’s Shock Origin Axe
The discussion surrounding Daley’s unexpected decision to drop Olakau’atu was a central point on the NRL 360 panel on Tuesday night. News Corp rugby league reporter David Riccio put forward several potential reasons for the move. These theories reportedly include concerns regarding Olakau’atu’s effectiveness in kick-chasing, his effort areas in defence, and his overall fitness and conditioning.
“One of the points raised was about Haumole’s kick-chase efforts. We looked into those, and that’s generally been a strong part of Haumole’s game,” Riccio explained. “However, my understanding is that the focus is on his effort areas off the ball. When the Blues were without possession and in a defensive situation, the Queenslanders would target his side of the field. This could involve attacking him directly or players in his vicinity before shifting the play back towards his zone.”
Veteran league journalist Paul Crawley also shared his surprise. “What I found surprising is that Olakau’atu has been completely removed from the squad. He’s now the 18th man, effectively. That genuinely shocked me, and it shocked a lot of people because he’s been the best back-rower in the competition this year. He’s an absolute weapon. He played for Manly the other day and ran for 260 metres.”
Another suggestion circulating is that Olakau’atu may have found the training intensity of the Blues’ Origin camp challenging. The Manly Sea Eagles typically implement specific training programs tailored to their key players, often with rest days scheduled in the lead-up to NRL matches. In contrast, Riccio highlighted that Daley’s Blues squad operates with a different training philosophy.
“Haumole is a big man, and the Manly Sea Eagles have a program that is designed to suit him and is specific to his needs. The Blues don’t run the same program. Manly typically doesn’t train two days before a game. For Origin, however, the Blues do train two days out from a match.”
This difference in preparation and training load could potentially be a significant factor in Olakau’atu’s perceived struggles and subsequent omission from the NSW squad. The debate is likely to continue as the Origin series progresses, with many fans and experts eager for further clarity on the decision.
