As the 2025 State of Origin series approaches, Manly Sea Eagles interim head coach Kieran Foran has thrown his full weight behind in-form back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu to claim a starting position on the right edge for the New South Wales Blues in the series opener.
Olakau’atu, who earned two bench appearances for the Blues during the 2024 Origin campaign, has entered a red-hot run of form over the past month since Foran took over interim coaching duties at Manly. His standout performance came in Sunday’s victory over the Parramatta Eels, where the 27-year-old wrecking ball delivered a dominant stat line: 229 running metres, 13 tackle breaks, and four expert offloads that proved critical to Manly’s win.
“Without a doubt, he deserves a spot in the starting 17,” Foran told reporters after the match. While acknowledging that the final selection falls to NSW’s official selection panel, Foran argued that Olakau’atu’s current form and steady growth set him apart from other talented back-rowers across the competition. “He’s a special talent. When he first broke into the league four or five years ago, he was raw, but he’s improved his game every single season. Now at 27, with more than 115 NRL games under his belt, he’s finally tapped into just how destructive he can be on the field,” Foran explained.
The interim coach added that Olakau’atu’s quiet, humble demeanor has often flown under the radar, but his recent performances have proven his elite level. “He doesn’t chase external praise or attention, but inside, he’s built the belief to compete at the highest level. He’s been unbelievable all year, and the sky really is the limit for him. He has a unique combination of size, speed, and aerial ability that very few players in the competition can match,” Foran said.
Foran’s coaching shift has been a key factor in unlocking Olakau’atu’s best form, encouraging the forward to take control of matches rather than waiting for opportunities to come his way. That adjustment comes as a lesson Olakau’atu also took away from his limited 2024 Origin opportunities, where he recorded just two carries across his two bench appearances. “Everything moved so fast when I got out there last year,” Olakau’atu said. “The biggest takeaway for me was that I can’t wait for the game to come to me. Origin is all about big moments, and if you get the chance to take the field at that level, you have to make it count.”
Currently, Olakau’atu says he is keeping his focus entirely on club duties rather than the growing Origin hype surrounding his name. “I see the talk on social media every now and then, but my only job right now is to help Manly get wins, and I feel like I’ve been delivering that the past couple of weeks,” he said. “Of course, every kid grows up dreaming of playing NRL, let alone Origin, the highest level of our sport. If I get that opportunity, I’ll grab it with both hands and make the most of it.”
With starting incumbent Liam Martin sidelined by injury, Olakau’atu named Canterbury Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston as his biggest competitor for the right edge starting spot, while Angus Crichton and Hudson Young are vying for the other available back-row position. Crichton, a seasoned Origin veteran who plays for the Sydney Roosters, has also thrown his support behind the Manly star, saying Olakau’atu is more than ready for the starting role. “We’ve got so many quality back-rowers to choose from, but I watched his game on Sunday, and he’s playing some of the best footy of his career,” Crichton said. “He’s a great bloke, too. I love playing alongside him, and if he gets the call-up, he’s 100% ready to go.”
For NSW Blues head coach Laurie Daley, who already faces a selection headache with a deep pool of quality back-row candidates, Olakau’atu’s unrivaled recent form makes him impossible to ignore ahead of the series kick-off in one month.