Matty Johns has suggested Michael Maguire never worked out how to use Haumole Olakau’atu properly and was forced to drop him for State of Origin 3 as a result. Olakau’atu played 23 minutes in Game 1, before getting just 18 minutes in Game 2.
The Manly back-rower got the majority of his minutes in Game 1 because Angus Crichton was forced to play out wider when Joseph Suaalii was sent off. But with starting second-rowers Crichton and Liam Martin playing 80 and 70 minutes respectively in Game 2, there was little opportunity for Olakau’atu.
With the Suncorp Stadium surface expected to be fast in Game 3, Maguire picked Mitchell Barnett on the bench over Olakau’atu. Barnett can play prop or second row, but will likely be used in the middle in the decider next Wednesday night.
With middle forwards Isaah Yeo and Spencer Leniu also on the bench, Maguire has gone without a traditional edge back-rower on the interchange. It means Crichton and Martin will once again be asked to play big minutes at Suncorp.
And according to Johns, Maguire axed Olakau’atu because he didn’t expect Crichton and Martin to dominate like they did in Game 2. “I do feel for Haumole Olakau’atu,” Johns said on SEN radio on Friday. “Madge (Maguire) just hasn’t quite worked out how to use him.
“Maguire selected him there initially as an edge back-rower and because Angus Crichton and Liam Martin were rampaging (in Game 2), he just couldn’t get Olakau’atu on. NSW have two back-rowers that can go for 80 minutes and the only ones that can be rolled over after the middles.”
Former Brisbane Broncos player Denan Kemp added: “I don’t think Maguire expected his edge back-rowers to be so dominant. He would’ve thought going into that match that he needed some impact from his bench.
“In Game 1, he had a surplus of rotations and for Game 3, he has opted to have dominance through the middle. My knowledge is that Haumole is very understanding of the situation. The selections have been very specific and it’s about the middle forwards because it’s a fast track at Suncorp.
“The way Olakau’atu has handled this situation is a testament to what is currently being built in NSW. When Blues players have been dropped in the past, it’s a massive drama and this is a step towards the right direction.”
Haumole Olakau’atu in classy response to State of Origin axing
As Kemp mentioned, Olakau’atu said he understood why he was axed. “I respect his decision. It’s for the best. I believe he has made the right decision,” Olakau’atu told AAP about Maguire.
“It’s the truth. And in all honesty, this will only motivate me for next year and the future to come. It’s great to see Mitch Barnett in the team. I feel like he has deserved it all season. He is a very good player, I feel like he is made for this big arena and big games.”
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Barnett said on Monday: “I feel extremely bad for Haumole. He is a terrific player and a terrific person. He was one of the first people to message me when the team was announced. It just shows the character he’s got and the character this group has got. I’m extremely grateful for his friendship and his kind words.”