Haumole Olakau'atu apologises to NSW fans after 'stupid' State of Origin post comes to light

Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau'atu has asked for forgiveness and understanding from Blues fans after an eye-opening social media post came to light about his previous support for Queensland. Olakau'atu is set to make his State of Origin debut for NSW off the bench in Game I at Sydney's Accor Stadium next Wednesday after being picked as one of six new faces in coach Michael Maguire's side.

But it was his previous allegiance to the Maroons that has come to light at Blues camp this week, with Olakau'atu quick to get on the front foot and set the record straight. The 26-year-old grew up in Guilford in the western suburbs of Sydney but his father was an avid Maroons fan and was a massive influence on his son's early love of league.

Many of Olakau'atu's formative years in rugby league coincided with Queensland's unprecedented era of dominance that saw the Maroons claim a record eight successive State of Origin victories between 2006 and 2013. The Maroons were littered with superstars including Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis.

Olakau'atu said he did not understand the significance of the state rivalry when he was younger and was happy to go along with father. But the superstar Blues backrower's previous post that claims he's been a Maroons supporter since "day dot" could ruffle the feathers of many NSW fans, which is why he's been quick to explain his backflip.

Haumole Olakau'atu explains previous support for Maroons

"If I'm going to be honest, I was growing up going for the Maroons," Olakau'atu admitted on his first full day in Blues camp. "I didn't know footy at the time when I was young. I did play footy, but I didn't know that it was such a big thing. My old man was a Maroons supporter as well, so I knew nothing but Maroons every time Origin came up."

Olakau'atu's eye-opening post came on Instagram just two years ago though, during Slater's first series win with the Maroons in 2022. But the Manly second rower admitted it was a "stupid" and "childish" thing to post and has asked Blues fans for their forgiveness.

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"I don't know what I was thinking," Olakau'atu said on Tuesday. "I was stupid. I was childish. I hope all the NSW fans can forgive me... I started to realise over the years when I was playing, I live here in NSW. So I deserve to be a Blues supporter. Since playing in first grade I've realised I'm Blues through and through."

Olakau'atu admits he's still pinching himself about being picked to make his Origin debut last year after former Blues coach Brad Fittler revealed he was desperately close to being picked last year. The barnstorming backrower's hot early season form ultimately dipped like that of his club Manly and Rabbitohs edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi was picked instead.

"I'm still in shock," Olakau'atu said about his selection in Maguire's side. "My mind just went blank - I remember the first few words he said on the phone when he called me - and the rest was all a blur. I can't remember anything else, but I was stoked. I had my old man next to me, he was in tears - it was a very special moment.

"I was disappointed [last year], not gonna lie - it did fuel a bit of fire. At the same time, I was very stoked for Keaon to play for the Blues. He is a very good player and one of the best back-rowers in the game." Olakau'atu credits his work with Manly's mental skills coach Andrew May for helping to take his game to a new level in 2024. And Wednesday's Origin debut will be the icing on the cake for Olakau'atu - who penned a lucrative long-term extension with the Sea Eagles last year that will keep him at the club until the end of 2031.

with AAP