'Without a doubt': Why Foran is backing barnstorming Manly star for an Origin recall

Manly's interim coach Kieran Foran has backed Haumole Olakau'atu for a return to the State of Origin arena after a dominant showing against the Eels on Sunday.

Olakau'atu last played for the Blues in game two of the 2024 series under Michael Maguire. He was in the reserves for game one last year but missed out on selection from there.

The second-rower will be in a battle with the likes of Hudson Young, Angus Crichton, Jacob Preston and Liam Martin for a spot in the Blues backrow, but Foran was bullish on his chances.

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"Without a doubt (he should be picked). In my opinion, I don't think anyone's (better than him in his position)," the interim coach said.

"There's great back-rowers here in our game, there's no doubt about that. I've been doing it for a long time but Haumole's a special player.

"So in my opinion, without a doubt. But I'm not a selector, it's their team to pick."

Olakau'atu bullied the Eels defence on Sunday with 226 run metres, the most for the match, and had nine tackle breaks. His play-the-ball speed was also the second best, beaten only by teammate Jake Trbojevic.

Out of Manly's seven matches played, Olakau'atu has run for under 100 metres only twice and both times came under sacked coach Anthony Seibold.

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Since Foran has taken over, the second-rower has gone to another level and hasn't dropped under 177 metres once.

"He's been unbelievable all year. Haumole is such a special player. I can't speak highly enough of this guy," Foran said.

"I think the sky's the limit for him, I honestly do, as a footballer. I think he's just got something that not many players have got and you see that in his performances.

"He's just got to keep doing what he's doing because when he's carrying the footy for us like that and he's going after the game defensively like that, we're going to be in the contest more times than not.

"His performances at the moment are very special and we absolutely love what he's bringing to the table at the moment."

Foran, who played with the second-rower, believes there's a maturity now to how he plays.

"Haumole's been building for some time now. He's a different player than what he was four or five years ago when he came in. He's growing his game each and every year, but you're just seeing a real mature guy now," he said.

"You're seeing a back-rower who's sort of 27 that's played 115-odd games. He's probably realised just how damaging he can be and for Haumole it's just about having that internal belief.

"He's such a humble guy. He doesn't want the external accolades. He doesn't want all the stuff that comes with it but inside he just needs to know how good he can be.

"He's playing like that. If he's doing that for us we're in with a chance."