Sea Eagles forward aims to ‘terrorise’ opposition after shoulder injury recovery
Haumole Olakau’atu is back from shoulder surgery and ready to make his mark at Manly.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“I came back to Tonga before Christmas, I hadn’t been there since 2012. My partner Ana, her family still live there and I was stopped everywhere I went, it was crazy,” Olakau’atu said.
“Children would come to me, if I wasn’t chased by children I would be chased by dogs, they are so cruel there.
“The people were all so happy. They’re passionate, they love rugby league but they don’t have much. It was quite humbling to see the way they live and their environment. We’re so lucky to live here in such a beautiful country. It made me realize I can’t take things for granted.”
“The same thing happened when I saw Eli. He’ll get better, but it was another reminder that I have to go to work every day with a smile on my face.”
“Not many people can do what we do. But with the flick of a finger, everything can disappear. I try to live my life to the fullest.”
Katoa suffered three separate head impacts during the Test against New Zealand and underwent emergency surgery at an Auckland hospital to drain fluid from his brain. The Storm have already left him out of the lineup this year and there is no guarantee he will play again.
Olakau’atu grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs and had never played rugby league until a decade ago. He was asked to run after he was seen chauffeuring close friend and former Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu in the Manly car park.
One of the first things Olakau’atu did when he signed a long-term deal with the Sea Eagles a few years ago was buy a house for his family.
This may explain why Manly coach Anthony Seibold described Olakau’atu as “someone I have the utmost respect for”.
“I’ve coached a lot of players throughout my career, and he’s someone that has the highest level of respect I have for him personally,” Seibold said.
“He’s really found his voice, he’s setting standards and holding people accountable.”
Haumole Olakau’atu played last season.Credit: Getty Images
The Sea Eagles missed out on Olakau’atu last season and he did what he normally does on the right wing on both sides of the ball. Losing rising prop Taniela Paseka was also impossible to ignore.
Olakau’atu dislocated his shoulder against the Gold Coast Titans but returned six weeks later and did it again while trying to stop Canterbury’s Viliame Kikau.
He worked hard in the off-season and recorded several personal best times in practice, including four minutes and 37 seconds in the 1.2-kilometer time trial.
The quicker he can develop with new halfback Jamal Fogarty will go a long way towards helping the Sea Eagles achieve early success.
The only NRL halfback he played with was Cherry-Evans. “We had great chemistry. ‘Chez’ [Cherry-Evans] We knew when to give me prom early, we just knew each other’s style and we clicked beautifully,” Olakau’atu said.
“But Jamal was great to work with. It won’t take long at all to confirm.”
Siebold added: “Chez’s weapons were looking up, reading numbers and knowing when to go short side or long side. Jamal’s strengths are being structured and playing really square.”
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“We think Jamal’s weapons can help unlock Haumole. Haumole is a good, experienced right winger with Jamal, Reuben Garrick and ‘Saaby’. [Jason Saab]. They have all played over 100 NRL games.”
Many of Manly’s big guns, including captain Tom Trbojevic, will feature in the second trial against South Sydney next weekend. Olakau’atu will be retained for the opening round against Canberra.
It can’t wait.
“As I said, I want to play consistent football, terrorize the opposition, play well for Manly, maybe NSW, Tonga – hopefully it will be a busy year,” he said.
