Latest news with #Olakau'atu
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andrew Johns Origin call backfires as Manly flops expose worrying truth around DCE
Manly stars Tom Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau'atu failed to live up to calls from Andrew Johns that they should be in the Blues' State of Origin team after underwhelming displays in Friday night's shock loss to Parramatta. The Eels jumped off the bottom of the NRL ladder after an impressive 30-10 win that once again exposed Manly's struggles without captain, Daly Cherry-Evans. The Sea Eagles skipper was missing due to Origin duties with the Maroons, with Jake Trbojevic (concussion) also out for the Sea Eagles. Parramatta were also missing their two Origin stars Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax but showed they were much better equipped to deal with the absences as stand-in halfback Dean Hawkins played a staring role and had a hand in four of the Eels' five tries. But it was a woeful defensive display from an insipid Manly that had coach Anthony Seibold scratching his head after the match, with the Sea Eagles looking rudderless without their skipper and veteran halfback. The absence of Cherry-Evans was glaring as halves Luke Brooks and Jake Arthur failed to control the game and get Manly's attack clicking. Too many times they resorted to last-tackle plays that involved unthreatening high kicks that impressive Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi diffused with ease. Many expected superstar fullback Trbojevic to step up in the absence of Cherry-Evans, and the pre-game talk that he was finally moving more freely after being hampered with a leg cork the last couple of weeks was certainly encouraging. However, Turbo did little to prove that Blues coach Laurie Daley was wrong to overlook him for next Wednesday's Origin opener, with the Manly No.1 having limited impact on Friday night. Manly's superstar fullback played a part in the two tries that Lehi Hopoate scored on the night, but he still didn't look anywhere near his electric best and had a tendency to pass rather than taking on Parramatta's line on numerous occasions. Manly wrecking ball Olakau'atu - who was picked as part of the extended NSW Origin squad and trained with the Blues this week before being released for the Eels clash - was also kept very quiet. Olakau'atu had 14 runs for 140m but failed to register one offload or significant attacking stat the whole game as the Eels shut down his potent threat on Manly's right edge the whole game. NRL legend Johns picked both Olakau'atu and Trbojevic when naming his NSW Origin squad last week, and even made the shock claim that Turbo should be picked at centre ahead of Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton. But Friday's underwhelming defeat to the struggling Eels - which sees Manly drop out of the top-eight - convinced fans that Daley was right to leave them out of his 17-man Blues squad for Wednesday night's Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium. Both Johns brothers wanted Turbo in the Origin side. Let that sink in...#NRLEelsManly — Paul (@bluesfor) May 23, 2025 Tom T is a good man, and at his best was a NSW great, but before tonight's match he said he was physically and mentally fit for origin if required. But that performance was more two-stroke than turbo. #NRLEelsManly — Michael Reid (@Reidy_tweets) May 23, 2025 another game where turbo does nothing and our whole foward pack gets bullied love this club! 😍 — AirConZ (@Airconz1of1) May 23, 2025 Manly are such frauds. Turbo especially. The Eels had kids out there and pumped them. Humiliation #NRLEelsManly — YourClubCouldNever (@GuyInco53684439) May 23, 2025 Tacklng bags out at Brookvale next week... defence awful — The Mole (@9_Moley) May 23, 2025 "We lacked cohesion tonight," Manly coach Seibold said after the game. "For whatever reason we just didn't look like we have been when we were at our best. "We were so good last week against the Cowboys away from home, defensively and grittiness. And then tonight we were the total opposite." RELATED: Johns calls out Slater mistake in shock Origin Game 1 call on Cleary Fresh calls for NRL action after Bulldogs robbed by 'deadset farce' Staggering new twist after Billy Slater snubs Queensland player Worryingly for Manly, they still have two games to play without Cherry-Evans across the rest of the Origin period and Seibold must surely be wondering whether it's a chance to hand teen halves sensation Joey Walsh his NRL debut. In contrast, Parramatta had no such concerns without their inspirational skipper and No.7 Mitch Moses, with Hawkins stepping up superbly in his absence to get the Eels' attack firing. "It was good to give him another opportunity to come in in that situation. He does all the little things really well and it's good to see him get the reward," coach Jason Ryles said about Hawkins. "We've still got a long way to go, it's a slow burn. It's just good the last six weeks we're starting to look like on the field, not just training." Parramatta's win was even more impressive after they lost Will Penisini to concussion in the opening minutes. That setback opened the door for Joash Papalii to make his debut for the Eels after joining from the Bulldogs before the season, and it was a fairytale for the Parramatta youngster as he produced a try-assist and grabbed his own four-pointer in back-to-back sets, in front of 150 of his family and friends. with AAP
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."
