Latest news with #HaumoleOlakau'atu
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL world in uproar over 'ridiculous' scenes amid crushing blow for Origin hopeful
Haumole Olakau'atu's hopes of playing a part in this year's Origin series for the Blues have taken a crushing blow after the Manly star dislocated his shoulder in Friday night's NRL defeat to the Titans. The bottom-placed Gold Coast stunned the Sea Eagles in a 28-8 flogging, with Daly Cherry-Evans failing to fire after being axed as Maroons skipper earlier in the week. But another controversial Bunker call left fans seeing red as under-fire Titans coach Des Hasler got one over his former club to ease some of the pressure off his shoulders. Manly's 20-point loss sees them lose further ground on the top-eight but their pain was compounded by a second half injury to Olakau'atu that could sideline the forward for at least six weeks and ruin his chances of an Origin recall. Olakau'atu was part of NSW's extended squad for Game 1 but passed up the chance to train with the Blues ahead of Game 2, so he could stay close to his partner for the birth of their second child. However, Olakau'atu's hopes of forcing his way into Blues coach Laurie Daley's Game 3 side were dealt a horror blow in a second half incident that could have dire ramifications for Manly as well. RELATED: Calls for immediate change amid apparent NSW rule breach Nathan Cleary comes clean amid rumour around Mary Fowler The Sea Eagles wrecking ball looked to have scored a try to get an out-of-sorts Manly back in the game. But a superb try-saving tackle from axed Maroons star Beau Fermor dislodged the footy as Olakau'atu fell awkwardly on his right arm. The Manly star was in obvious discomfort and their fears were realised when he was escorted from the field and the shoulder dislocation was confirmed. Manly coach Anthony Seibold confirmed after the game that Olakau'atu is set for an extended stint on the sidelines. "My understanding is if there's bone damage he'll need a reconstruction, if it's muscle or ligaments only he could potentially rehab it over six weeks, but he's going to be gone for a while," he said. "But it probably summed up our night - he's going for a try and dislocates his shoulder." The injury capped off a grim night for the Sea Eagles, who trailed 22-8 at halftime and failed to score a point in the second forty. Alofiana Khan-Pereira's first half double helped Gold Coast jump out to a big lead and saw him become the fastest man to 50 tries in the NRL era - reaching the milestone in just his 52nd game. Khan-Pereira was also at the centre of the game's biggest controversy after being awarded a first half penalty during an aerial contest with Manly opposite, Jason Saab. The wingers both went up for a high ball, but Saab misjudged his leap and made minimal contact with the Titans winger, who spilled the ball close to his tryline. The Sea Eagles looked set to get the footy back in prime attacking position but Bunker official Chris Butler pinged Saab for making contact with the Titans star in mid-air. Cherry-Evans summed up the frustrations of fans by describing the decision as "outrageous", with veteran commentator Phil Gould suggesting it was yet another example of the Bunker officials having very little feel for the game. "Oh please, did we miss a meeting or something? When did they come up with this?," Gould questioned on Nine after comparing it to Brian To'o's sin-bin in Origin Game 1. "I don't know what goes through their heads that they work themselves in a position where they're looking for those types of things now. Why? Who put them up to this? That's not how the game is played, nor should it be the way the game is refereed." NRL great Brad Fittler added: "(Saab) barely touched him - he touched his hip. It's a big call. It would be interesting if Garrick catches the ball and scores. Do they go back to the touch? There was nothing more than a touch." The @NRL bunker has truly lost the plot on kick contests. Manly epically stiffed by a ridiculous ruling or 'outrageous' as DCE said. #NRLTitansManly — retro_footy_cards (@ScanlensFooty) June 13, 2025 Dear @NRL , if even your official commentators are disgusted and sppechless about the referee and bunker decisions , you should be aware that your product has become unwatchable. Outrageous. #NRLTitansManly — Joshua (@ouk_rouk) June 13, 2025 Why do they look for penalties that simply aren't there? No one - no titans fans, Manly fans, or neutrals thought that was a penalty. #NRLTitansManly — Moz Morris (@Moz_Morris) June 13, 2025 Im out, better things to do. If you blokes wanna watch these referees take the piss then go for it. #NRLTitansManly — Pingz (@FanParanoid) June 13, 2025 Stop competing in a jump contest. Man oh man I hope these ridiculous calls dont alter big game results. Hard to watch #nrltitansmanly — Jack Buchanan (@jack11buchanan) June 13, 2025 How does the Bunker continually get it so wrong 🤦♂️ #NRLTitansManly — Eden Richards (@Eden_Richards) June 13, 2025
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'No regrets', Olakau'atu reveals Origin flip over melee
Almost a year on from his spectacular State of Origin brain snap, Haumole Olakau'atu insists he has no regrets as NSW selectors weigh up whether to recall the Manly enforcer to the Blues' starting side. On form, Olakau'atu commands a place in Michael Maguire's 17-man squad as NSW open their series defence in Brisbane on May 28. Dropped for game three last year, Olakau'atu has been Manly's best in 2025, fashioning more tackle breaks then any other second-rower over the opening 10 rounds while being tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists. Now it's up to Blues selectors to decide if they can trust the hot-head after the 26-year-old's infamous involvement in an off-field melee while not even playing in the 2024 series decider in Brisbane. Olakau'atu was evicted from the field after a scuffle between NSW and Queensland players spilt over the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium. Dressed in a Blues blazer, Olakau'atu grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as players from both sides came together. The reserve forward was forced to watch the game from the dressing room before being banned from entering the field of play at the end to celebrate a famous victory. The day after, Olakau'atu said he wished he hadn't reacted like he did. But 10 months on and he has had a change of tune, saying he was merely instinctively protecting his teammates. "Definitely no regrets there," Olakau'atu told AAP ahead of Manly's Mother's Day hosting of Cronulla on Sunday. "But my actions in the moment, I wasn't thinking. "Do I look back at it and think it's such a silly thing to do? Yes, definitely. "But do I don't regret it? No. I just seen red and just acted naturally to that situation. "But, yeah, I definitely do not recommend it for any future players out there that are sitting on the sidelines, especially if you're wearing a suit." Olakau'atu knows his numbers this season have him right in the frame for Origin selection. But he also knows he would have to leapfrog incumbent back-row starters Liam Martin and Angus Crichton and in-form Canberra firebrand Hudson Young for a Blues spot. "Stats are stats, you know what I mean? But when it comes to the moment, if I get picked, I get picked. "If I don't, I don't. I've just got to accept it and and move on so I can only control what I can. "So for now, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward for Manly and see where I end up." He does, though, readily concede being dropped for last year's series decider still stings. "I would be lying if I said it didn't," Olakau'atu said. "Don't get me wrong, Mitch Barnett - 'Barney' he deserved every second of it but, look, it's hard you're a back-rower on the bench. "You've already got two very good back-rowers already starting, so it was it was hard for me position wise. "It was hard but it I think it was the right choice for Madge." Olakau'atu has two more games to try to force Maguire's hand. His immediate focus is on atoning for the Sharks' spoiling his 100-game celebration with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth last month. "Definitely still trying to get my revenge," Olakau'atu said. "You all know that game in Perth, especially being my milestone as well. "We didn't get the win and we don't want to lose to them twice." Almost a year on from his spectacular State of Origin brain snap, Haumole Olakau'atu insists he has no regrets as NSW selectors weigh up whether to recall the Manly enforcer to the Blues' starting side. On form, Olakau'atu commands a place in Michael Maguire's 17-man squad as NSW open their series defence in Brisbane on May 28. Dropped for game three last year, Olakau'atu has been Manly's best in 2025, fashioning more tackle breaks then any other second-rower over the opening 10 rounds while being tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists. Now it's up to Blues selectors to decide if they can trust the hot-head after the 26-year-old's infamous involvement in an off-field melee while not even playing in the 2024 series decider in Brisbane. Olakau'atu was evicted from the field after a scuffle between NSW and Queensland players spilt over the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium. Dressed in a Blues blazer, Olakau'atu grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as players from both sides came together. The reserve forward was forced to watch the game from the dressing room before being banned from entering the field of play at the end to celebrate a famous victory. The day after, Olakau'atu said he wished he hadn't reacted like he did. But 10 months on and he has had a change of tune, saying he was merely instinctively protecting his teammates. "Definitely no regrets there," Olakau'atu told AAP ahead of Manly's Mother's Day hosting of Cronulla on Sunday. "But my actions in the moment, I wasn't thinking. "Do I look back at it and think it's such a silly thing to do? Yes, definitely. "But do I don't regret it? No. I just seen red and just acted naturally to that situation. "But, yeah, I definitely do not recommend it for any future players out there that are sitting on the sidelines, especially if you're wearing a suit." Olakau'atu knows his numbers this season have him right in the frame for Origin selection. But he also knows he would have to leapfrog incumbent back-row starters Liam Martin and Angus Crichton and in-form Canberra firebrand Hudson Young for a Blues spot. "Stats are stats, you know what I mean? But when it comes to the moment, if I get picked, I get picked. "If I don't, I don't. I've just got to accept it and and move on so I can only control what I can. "So for now, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward for Manly and see where I end up." He does, though, readily concede being dropped for last year's series decider still stings. "I would be lying if I said it didn't," Olakau'atu said. "Don't get me wrong, Mitch Barnett - 'Barney' he deserved every second of it but, look, it's hard you're a back-rower on the bench. "You've already got two very good back-rowers already starting, so it was it was hard for me position wise. "It was hard but it I think it was the right choice for Madge." Olakau'atu has two more games to try to force Maguire's hand. His immediate focus is on atoning for the Sharks' spoiling his 100-game celebration with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth last month. "Definitely still trying to get my revenge," Olakau'atu said. "You all know that game in Perth, especially being my milestone as well. "We didn't get the win and we don't want to lose to them twice." Almost a year on from his spectacular State of Origin brain snap, Haumole Olakau'atu insists he has no regrets as NSW selectors weigh up whether to recall the Manly enforcer to the Blues' starting side. On form, Olakau'atu commands a place in Michael Maguire's 17-man squad as NSW open their series defence in Brisbane on May 28. Dropped for game three last year, Olakau'atu has been Manly's best in 2025, fashioning more tackle breaks then any other second-rower over the opening 10 rounds while being tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists. Now it's up to Blues selectors to decide if they can trust the hot-head after the 26-year-old's infamous involvement in an off-field melee while not even playing in the 2024 series decider in Brisbane. Olakau'atu was evicted from the field after a scuffle between NSW and Queensland players spilt over the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium. Dressed in a Blues blazer, Olakau'atu grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as players from both sides came together. The reserve forward was forced to watch the game from the dressing room before being banned from entering the field of play at the end to celebrate a famous victory. The day after, Olakau'atu said he wished he hadn't reacted like he did. But 10 months on and he has had a change of tune, saying he was merely instinctively protecting his teammates. "Definitely no regrets there," Olakau'atu told AAP ahead of Manly's Mother's Day hosting of Cronulla on Sunday. "But my actions in the moment, I wasn't thinking. "Do I look back at it and think it's such a silly thing to do? Yes, definitely. "But do I don't regret it? No. I just seen red and just acted naturally to that situation. "But, yeah, I definitely do not recommend it for any future players out there that are sitting on the sidelines, especially if you're wearing a suit." Olakau'atu knows his numbers this season have him right in the frame for Origin selection. But he also knows he would have to leapfrog incumbent back-row starters Liam Martin and Angus Crichton and in-form Canberra firebrand Hudson Young for a Blues spot. "Stats are stats, you know what I mean? But when it comes to the moment, if I get picked, I get picked. "If I don't, I don't. I've just got to accept it and and move on so I can only control what I can. "So for now, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward for Manly and see where I end up." He does, though, readily concede being dropped for last year's series decider still stings. "I would be lying if I said it didn't," Olakau'atu said. "Don't get me wrong, Mitch Barnett - 'Barney' he deserved every second of it but, look, it's hard you're a back-rower on the bench. "You've already got two very good back-rowers already starting, so it was it was hard for me position wise. "It was hard but it I think it was the right choice for Madge." Olakau'atu has two more games to try to force Maguire's hand. His immediate focus is on atoning for the Sharks' spoiling his 100-game celebration with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth last month. "Definitely still trying to get my revenge," Olakau'atu said. "You all know that game in Perth, especially being my milestone as well. "We didn't get the win and we don't want to lose to them twice."
West Australian
10-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
'No regrets', Olakau'atu reveals Origin flip over melee
Almost a year on from his spectacular State of Origin brain snap, Haumole Olakau'atu insists he has no regrets as NSW selectors weigh up whether to recall the Manly enforcer to the Blues' starting side. On form, Olakau'atu commands a place in Michael Maguire's 17-man squad as NSW open their series defence in Brisbane on May 28. Dropped for game three last year, Olakau'atu has been Manly's best in 2025, fashioning more tackle breaks then any other second-rower over the opening 10 rounds while being tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists. Now it's up to Blues selectors to decide if they can trust the hot-head after the 26-year-old's infamous involvement in an off-field melee while not even playing in the 2024 series decider in Brisbane. Olakau'atu was evicted from the field after a scuffle between NSW and Queensland players spilt over the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium. Dressed in a Blues blazer, Olakau'atu grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as players from both sides came together. The reserve forward was forced to watch the game from the dressing room before being banned from entering the field of play at the end to celebrate a famous victory. The day after, Olakau'atu said he wished he hadn't reacted like he did. But 10 months on and he has had a change of tune, saying he was merely instinctively protecting his teammates. "Definitely no regrets there," Olakau'atu told AAP ahead of Manly's Mother's Day hosting of Cronulla on Sunday. "But my actions in the moment, I wasn't thinking. "Do I look back at it and think it's such a silly thing to do? Yes, definitely. "But do I don't regret it? No. I just seen red and just acted naturally to that situation. "But, yeah, I definitely do not recommend it for any future players out there that are sitting on the sidelines, especially if you're wearing a suit." Olakau'atu knows his numbers this season have him right in the frame for Origin selection. But he also knows he would have to leapfrog incumbent back-row starters Liam Martin and Angus Crichton and in-form Canberra firebrand Hudson Young for a Blues spot. "Stats are stats, you know what I mean? But when it comes to the moment, if I get picked, I get picked. "If I don't, I don't. I've just got to accept it and and move on so I can only control what I can. "So for now, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward for Manly and see where I end up." He does, though, readily concede being dropped for last year's series decider still stings. "I would be lying if I said it didn't," Olakau'atu said. "Don't get me wrong, Mitch Barnett - 'Barney' he deserved every second of it but, look, it's hard you're a back-rower on the bench. "You've already got two very good back-rowers already starting, so it was it was hard for me position wise. "It was hard but it I think it was the right choice for Madge." Olakau'atu has two more games to try to force Maguire's hand. His immediate focus is on atoning for the Sharks' spoiling his 100-game celebration with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth last month. "Definitely still trying to get my revenge," Olakau'atu said. "You all know that game in Perth, especially being my milestone as well. "We didn't get the win and we don't want to lose to them twice."
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'No regrets', Olakau'atu reveals Origin flip over melee
Almost a year on from his spectacular State of Origin brain snap, Haumole Olakau'atu insists he has no regrets as NSW selectors weigh up whether to recall the Manly enforcer to the Blues' starting side. On form, Olakau'atu commands a place in Michael Maguire's 17-man squad as NSW open their series defence in Brisbane on May 28. Dropped for game three last year, Olakau'atu has been Manly's best in 2025, fashioning more tackle breaks then any other second-rower over the opening 10 rounds while being tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists. Now it's up to Blues selectors to decide if they can trust the hot-head after the 26-year-old's infamous involvement in an off-field melee while not even playing in the 2024 series decider in Brisbane. Olakau'atu was evicted from the field after a scuffle between NSW and Queensland players spilt over the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium. Dressed in a Blues blazer, Olakau'atu grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as players from both sides came together. The reserve forward was forced to watch the game from the dressing room before being banned from entering the field of play at the end to celebrate a famous victory. The day after, Olakau'atu said he wished he hadn't reacted like he did. But 10 months on and he has had a change of tune, saying he was merely instinctively protecting his teammates. "Definitely no regrets there," Olakau'atu told AAP ahead of Manly's Mother's Day hosting of Cronulla on Sunday. "But my actions in the moment, I wasn't thinking. "Do I look back at it and think it's such a silly thing to do? Yes, definitely. "But do I don't regret it? No. I just seen red and just acted naturally to that situation. "But, yeah, I definitely do not recommend it for any future players out there that are sitting on the sidelines, especially if you're wearing a suit." Olakau'atu knows his numbers this season have him right in the frame for Origin selection. But he also knows he would have to leapfrog incumbent back-row starters Liam Martin and Angus Crichton and in-form Canberra firebrand Hudson Young for a Blues spot. "Stats are stats, you know what I mean? But when it comes to the moment, if I get picked, I get picked. "If I don't, I don't. I've just got to accept it and and move on so I can only control what I can. "So for now, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward for Manly and see where I end up." He does, though, readily concede being dropped for last year's series decider still stings. "I would be lying if I said it didn't," Olakau'atu said. "Don't get me wrong, Mitch Barnett - 'Barney' he deserved every second of it but, look, it's hard you're a back-rower on the bench. "You've already got two very good back-rowers already starting, so it was it was hard for me position wise. "It was hard but it I think it was the right choice for Madge." Olakau'atu has two more games to try to force Maguire's hand. His immediate focus is on atoning for the Sharks' spoiling his 100-game celebration with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth last month. "Definitely still trying to get my revenge," Olakau'atu said. "You all know that game in Perth, especially being my milestone as well. "We didn't get the win and we don't want to lose to them twice."
