Blues debutant Haumole Olakau’atu has asked New South Wales fans for forgiveness ahead of his State of Origin debut after a rogue social media post two years ago lending his support to the Maroons.
In 2022, after Queensland’s win in Game I, Olakau’atu re-posted a Fox League graphic on Instagram and added the caption: “been a Maroons since day dot”.
At the time, Olakau’atu was in the midst of his fourth season with the Sea Eagles in 2022 and playing State of Origin wasn’t at the forefront of his mind, having committed to representing Tonga in the mid-season test.
However, his state allegiances have subsequently changed, with the talented back rower’s tantalising form for Manly earning him Blues consideration over the past two seasons and now, selection in the starting 17.
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Speaking to reporters during the New South Wales media day on Tuesday, Olakau’atu apologised to Blues fans for the Instagram faux pas, and explained why his support once lay with the team north of the border.
“I don’t know what I was thinking hey. It was stupid, childish and I hope the NSW fans can forgive me,” he said
“If I’m going to be honest, I grew up going for the Maroons.
“I didn’t know footy at the time when I was young. I did play footy but didn’t know that (Origin) was such a big thing but my old man was a Maroons supporter, so I knew nothing but Maroons when Origin came up.
“Playing in first grade, was kind of when I realised I’m Blues through and through.”
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Olakau’atu was a frontrunner for a Blues jersey last season but Manly entered a form slump and the back rower’s own play suffered in the month leading up to Game I.
“I was disappointed, I’m not going to lie,” Olakau’atu said on missing out on NSW selection last year.
“It did fuel a fire … after that, I just kind of tried to focus for Manly and do what I could do for my club.”
Former Blues coach Brad Fittler admitted earlier this season just how close Olakau’atu was to being picked last year.
“We were looking at him so closely and talking about him constantly – he was a weapon. He has gone again and he is a much better player this year than he was last year,” Fittler said on his Freddy and the Eighth podcast back in March.
“I was talking to someone who does a lot of statistics around effort areas … That’s the difference and that wasn’t there last year.”
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