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Two years ago Haumole Olakau’atu ran onto the State of Origin arena in a suit, an unwanted entrance that landed him a two-game suspension.
On Monday, the Manly second-rower looks sure to be handed a return to Origin – this time in a Blues jersey – following a barnstorming display against the Wests Tigers.
The 27-year-old delivered the most compelling of auditions to NSW coach Laurie Daley as the Sea Eagles continued their renaissance under Kieran Foran with a 46-18 win to rise into the top four.
Olakau’atu played two games off the bench in the 2024 interstate series before being relegated to 19th man for the decider. It was in that capacity that he rushed onto Suncorp Stadium as a melee broke out.
His on-field activity will be fully sanctioned in his next Origin outing at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week if, as presumed, he features on Daley’s right edge.
Olakau’atu was a frightening sight for the Queensland audience as well as the under-strength Tigers on day two of Magic Round on Saturday.
Whether it was steamrolling defenders, charging over the try line to score or setting up teammates outside him, the 113kg forward was unstoppable.
He had 11 tackle breaks including a fend that left Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth on his backside in his 100th NRL game.
As Manly ran amok, on Olakau’atu’s right side in particular, winger Jason Saab posted a treble and fullback Clayton Faulalo, filling in admirably for Tom Trbojevic, had a field day.
In another Origin statement, electric Manly centre Tolutau Koula also shone on the other flank, highlighted by a fabulous long-range individual try.
With Latrell Mitchell under an injury cloud due to a back injury and Bradman Best ruled out on Saturday, the 23-year-old Tonga international could come into the NSW frame.
In a team with no shortage of top performers, prop Taniela Paseka and evergreen interchange forward Nathan Brown also made strong impressions while the returning Jamal Fogarty combined well in the halves with ex-Tiger Luke Brooks.
A sixth victory in seven games since Foran took over as Manly coach from Anthony Seibold, it was the latest chapter of a remarkable turnaround for the Sea Eagles.
On the flipside, it was another forgettable afternoon for the Tigers, with early season optimism erased by three consecutive defeats in which they have conceded 142 points.
A suspected shoulder injury which forced centre Taylan May from the field rubbed further salt into the wounds while halfback Jock Madden clutched at a hamstring in the dying moments, threatening to add to their extensive casualty ward.
If there was a “negative smell” around the Tigers – as coach Benji Marshall put it – after blowouts against Cronulla and Melbourne it became a stench in Brisbane.
For the second week running they blew the start, falling off tackles as Manly raced to an 18-0 lead after only 16 minutes.
It didn’t get much better.
The Tigers again had a considerable list of absentees - Api Koroisau, Adam Doueihi, Jahream Bula and Samuela Fainu - and while Terrell May was back in the line-up fellow middle forward Alex Twal was missing with a knee injury.
But they didn’t do themselves any favours with 43 missed tackles.
