'Over before you know it': Paul Gallen offers strong advice to Blues wrecking ball Haumole Olakau'atu
Paul Gallen has offered some strong advice to NSW enforcer Haumole Olakau'atu after earning his first career start at State of Origin level.
The in-form Manly back-rower was selected in Laurie Daley's run-on side for the series opener, beating out the likes of Angus Crichton, Dylan Lucas and Jacob Preston. He has previously played off the bench for the blues.
The 27-year-old has been on a rampage over the past two months with the Sea Eagles, coinciding with the appointment of Kieran Foran as interim coach.
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Olakau'atu has scored four tries, made seven linebreaks and averaged a huge 171 run metres per game this season, producing the best run of form in his NRL career.
But according to the former Blues captain, there's one crucial element of Origin footy that Olakau'atu needs to make sure he nails from the kick off.
Paul Gallen offers advice to NSW star Haumole Olakau'atu. Getty/Nine
"If I was Laurie Daley, I'd be speaking to Kieran Foran and finding out what he's been doing with him of late," Gallen said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night.
"Haumole is the type of guy who can be out on the field at times and sort of be relaxed, hang out on his edge and wait for the game to come to him.
"In an Origin game, you've got to go to the game.
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"It goes so fast and it's over before you know it, so if you don't go and get an early touch or make a big tackle, all of a sudden 80 minutes is gone and it's all over.
"Haumole needs to go to the game and if I was Laurie, I'd be finding out off Kieran Foran just what makes him tick, because he's been so hard to handle of late."
Olakau'atu has had limited opportunities for the Blues in the past, playing just two matches in the 2024 series off the bench under Michael Maguire.
He will start in the back-row alongside Raiders star Hudson Young next Wednesday, with coach Daley revealing debutant Victor Radley could also spend time on an edge.
