Manly back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has revealed he wants to play for the Blues as well as for his native Tonga in the future amid the Origin eligibility debate.
Conjecture surrounded Olakau’atu’s availability for NSW last season, with the Sea Eagles star playing for Tonga in their mid-year Test against New Zealand on the same weekend the Blues beat the Maroons in Origin II.
The 24-year-old was in devastating form for Manly during last year’s Origin series and was in the selection frame for game two, which coincided with Tonga’s mid-year Test.
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A proud Tongan, Olakau’atu wants to continue playing for his country, but also revealed his desire to play for the Blues if given the opportunity to play Origin in the future.
“Yeah 100 per cent,” Olakau’atu told foxsports.com.au.
“What happened last year was me being a bit immature and I take full responsibility for that.
“If the chance comes around I will 100 per cent take it and grab it with both hands.
“Playing for my country is a big thing for me, but playing in the Blues’ jersey is also a big thing for me and I would love to do both.”
There are growing calls to move the mid-year Tests to avoid the awkward dilemma of players from tier two nations having to choose between playing for their country or their state.
Currently under the eligibility laws, players from tier two nations can represent both their country and play Origin, but obviously they can’t do both on the same weekend.
Blues coach Brad Fittler claims players should not be punished for wanting to represent their family’s heritage.
“For both games to flourish, if you (play) in NSW or Queensland at a certain age then you should be able to play for NSW or Queensland,” Fittler told AAP.
“It’s simple. What you do with international football, probably needs a little more detail.
“But at the end of the day, State of Origin should be for people born or lived in NSW or Queensland, before the age of 13.”
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At club level, Manly’s 2022 season came to a disappointing end losing seven straight games to miss the finals.
Olakau’atu revealed the players made a group decision to put a line through 2022 and move forward together as a squad heading into 2023.
“Honestly, I think it was a team decision and we all agreed to scratch it and move on from it,” Olakau’atu said.
“This is a new season and we have all moved on from last year.”
Helping the clean slate is the change of coaching staff at the club with Anthony Seibold and Shane Flanagan coming in to replace Des Hasler and his coaching staff.
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Olakau’atu revealed the players are excited and motivated to impress the new coaches.
“Everything is new,” Olakau’atu said.
“It’s a new coaching staff, but everything is going really well. The boys have been ripping in to training and they are getting along with the new coaching staff.
“Seibs is a good bloke and I can’t wait to kick off the season with him.”
The Manly squad has also undergone some changes with Kieran Foran (Titans), Dylan Walker (Warriors), Martin Taupau (Broncos) and Andrew Davey (Bulldogs) moving on.
Coming in are Kelma Tuilagi (Tigers), Ben Condon (Cowboys), Cooper Johns (Storm) and Nathaniel Roache (Eels).
The club were already well stocked in Olakau’atu’s position, but Tuilagi and Condon have added to their impressive depth in the back row.
“They are good blokes,” Olakau’atu said of the new recruits.
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“They are very easy to talk to and they also bring that spark that we need in the team.
“Condon is very good with the ball. He knows his role in the middle.
“Kelma brings that spark as well and that’s what we need for both edges.
“Competition in the back row is pretty intense. We have got a lot of good young back-rowers in the squad and Kelma and Condon have added to that.
“We have also got Josh Stuckey, Dean Matterson and young Samuela Fainu coming up through the ranks.
Olakau’atu is expecting big things young guns Fainu and development player Gordon Chan Kum Tong in 2023.
“There is quite a few boys looking to break into first grade,” Olakau’atu said.
“Big Samuela is one. Gordon Chan Kum Tong is up there as well.
“You have to watch out for Fainu, he is going to be a big thing in the future.”
Helping bring the squad closer together after their tumultuous 2022 season was a pre-season Army camp devised by Seibold.
The gruelling two day camp got the players out of their comfort zone and Olakau’atu revealed he was lucky a convenient ankle sprain meant that he wasn’t subjected to as much torture as his teammates.
“It has definitely made us closer and brought us together,” Olakau’atu said.
“It was a very tough 48 hours for us.
“It was all good for me though. I kind of sprained my ankle halfway through, so I was kind of cheering that I wasn’t doing half of it.
“But all together it was a really challenging two days for us, but I’m glad for the way it has grown the bond between all the boys and brought us closer.”
Luckily the injury was not too severe and Olakau’atu was back running with his teammates the following week.
“The ankle was a grade two apparently, but a bit of a carry on,” Olakau’atu said with a laugh.
“But I am all good now and straight back to running the week after.”
Olakau’atu will play his 50th NRL game in Round 1 against the Bulldogs and after scoring 18 tries in 42 games over the last two years, he wants to continue to be consistent as Manly look to climb back into finals contention.
“For me personally I just want to stay fit and consistent,” Olakau’atu said.
“It is about nailing my role and doing job for the team.”
