Wrecking ball sends ‘fearsome’ message to Origin selectors
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Haumole Olakau’atu has sent a timely message to NSW coach Laurie Daley, scoring a first-half double in his side’s 30-4 win against the Storm.
The in-form Manly wrecking ball was at his imposing best on Saturday night, crashing over for the side’s opening two tries at Brookvale Oval.
Haumole Olakau'atu celebrates a try. Fox League
Olakau’atu, who didn’t feature in State of Origin game two after being dropped for Dylan Lucas, is pushing his case for a Blues recall in the series decider.
The 27-year-old did his chances no harm against Melbourne and some moments he had with ball in hand would be striking fear into Billy Slater’s camp.
Both of his four-pointers for the Sea Eagles came in almost identical fashion, strolling through at close range as Storm defenders gave him a wide berth.
One opposition player who couldn’t get out of the Tongan international’s way was Moses Leo, who was knocked out following Manly’s second try.
Olakau’atu took the ball from the kick off and ran full-pelt into the Melbourne defensive line, with his shoulder collecting Leo in the head.
“Now he’s knocked out the winger - this is nasty,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
“He went straight over the top of Leo and you’d have to say this is the end of his night ... my goodness, that was fearsome stuff.”
The rookie outside back was out cold following the collision with Olakau’atu and had to be taken from the field by Storm trainers.
Jason Saab extended the lead with a spectacular aerial try, before strike centre Tolu Koula made it a 24-0 buffer for the Sea Eagles at half time - but it was Olakau’atu who had all the plaudits after a rampaging 40 minutes.
“He has been that good that it’s scary. If we’re going off that, he is in the [NSW] side ... he has been devastating,” Storm legend Cooper Cronk said.
The hulking second-rower finished the night with 139 run metres and seven tackle breaks to go with his double on a dominant night for the Sea Eagles.
Speaking post-game, Kieran Foran was full of praise for the star forward.
“I thought he was exceptional,” the rookie NRL coach said.
“He’s just a wrecking ball with the ball in hand and brutal defensively as well. I just think his form has been of such high quality, he just hasn’t had a quiet game.
“He’s been at the opposition constantly and we’ve been asking him to bring his best and he certainly brought that.”
Haumole Olakau'atu in action against the Storm. Getty
When asked about the looming NSW selection debate, Foran opted not to get involved - but made his feelings about Olakau’atu clear.
“It’s up to them,” he said.
“You all know how highly I think of Haumole, he’s a very unique player and we absolutely love what he brings.”
In a blow for the home side, Luke Brooks failed to return for the second half due to a knee injury, replaced by young gun Joey Walsh.
Early reports indicated Brooks suffered an ACL injury.
Manly’s victory entrenches them in the top-eight, while the loss for Melbourne acts as a bitter blow for their finals hopes.
