Haumole Olakau'atu (born 1 October 1998) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 1 October 1998 Guildford, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 113 kg (17 st 11 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 21 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editOlakau'atu was born in Guildford, New South Wales, Australia, and is of Tongan descent.[2]
Olakau'atu played junior rugby league with Berala Bears and Wentworthville Magpies. He later tried out for the Parramatta SG Ball and Harold Matthews sides but was unsuccessful. Olakau'atu then was signed by Manly and played for the club in their 2017 Holden Cup premiership winning side against Parramatta.[3]
Playing career
edit2019
editOlakau'atu made his NRL debut for Manly against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in week 1 of the finals of the 2019 NRL season.[4][5] Olakau'atu was kept in the Manly team for the following week against South Sydney in which Manly lost 34-26 in the elimination semi-final at ANZ Stadium.[6]
2020
editHe made five appearances for Manly in the 2020 NRL season as the club missed out on the finals finishing 13th on the table.[7]
2021
editIn round 14 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries for Manly in a 50-18 victory over North Queensland.[8] He played 21 games for Manly in the 2021 NRL season including the club's preliminary final loss against South Sydney.[9]
2022
editOlakau'atu was one of seven players involved in the Manly pride jersey player boycott.[10] He made a total of 21 appearances for Manly in the 2022 NRL season scoring ten tries. Manly would finish the season in 11th place and missed out on the finals.[11]
2023
editIn round 3 of the 2023 NRL season, he scored two tries including the winner in Manly's 34-30 victory over Parramatta.[12] In round 5, he scored a try and was later sent to the sin bin during Manly's 32-32 draw with Newcastle.[13] He played a total of 24 matches for Manly in the 2023 NRL season and scored ten tries as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals.[14]
2024
editOn 26 May, Olakau'atu was selected by New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series.[15] Olakau'atu played 21 matches for Manly in the 2024 NRL season as they finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Manly would be eliminated in the second week of the finals by the Sydney Roosters.[16]
References
edit- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "It's all relative: Manly debutant ready to follow family into footy". Sydney Morning Herald Sport. 11 September 2019.
- ^ "He's always been a gun". www.smh.com.au.
- ^ "Finals Week 1 team announcements". NRL.com. 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing". NRL.
- ^ "South Sydney Rabbitohs beat Manly Sea Eagles 34-26 in NRL semi-final". ABC.
- ^ O'Loughlin, Liam (26 October 2020). "NRL 2020 Season Review: How will your side fare next year?". Sporting News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Cronulla Sharks pip Penrith Panthers 19-18, Manly Sea Eagles thrash North Queensland Cowboys 50-18". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "GLORY, GLORY: Souths march into the GF as Wayne masterminds Manly mauling". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "Seven Manly players to boycott NRL match over pride jersey". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Manly Sea Eagles prevail 34-30 against Parramatta Eels to maintain unbeaten start to NRL season". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "Young talent time: Knights winger scores four as wild west shootout ends in a draw". www.smh.com.au.
- ^ "The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener". www.nrl.com.
- ^ "The Mole's season review: Luke Brooks 'revels' at Manly Sea Eagles but 30 seconds of horror luck ends season". www.nine.com.au.