In the bowels of Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, Andrew Johns delivered Haumole Olakau’atu a round of applause as the Manly forward made his way to the team bus.
“Cameron Munster said you’re a cat,” the former NSW halfback joked to the Sea Eagles enforcer. “Knock those teeth out.”
In characteristic Johns style, it was said very much tongue-in-cheek.
But in the serious business of State of Origin, Johns’ reception for Olakau’atu was a nod to his anticipated role as a force of destruction for the Blues at Accor Stadium next Wednesday.
The 27-year-old produced arguably the standout individual performance across Magic Round in Manly’s stampede against the Tigers, offering a glimpse of what he could provide for NSW coach Laurie Daley if his interstate recall is confirmed on Monday.
Olakau’atu made two appearances for NSW from the bench in 2024 but promises to make a greater impact this year.
He was almost impossible for the Tigers to handle, continuing a pattern of form that catapulted him back into the State of Origin conversation.
He paid tribute to new Manly coach Kieran Foran for giving him the licence to return to his best.
“He’s instilled that belief back in me and just given me confidence to go out there and play freely and just play to the best of my ability,” he said.
“We’ve got a game plan that suits my play style, and I’m just happy to fully buy into it.”
Olakau’atu said he did not set out to intimidate opponents, but based on his devastating output in Brisbane, he could have just that effect for Daley’s team.
Former Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai was among those bumped off effortlessly, while Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth was sent flying by one of his fends.
“It’s not more so putting fear into the opposition,” Olakau’atu said. “It’s just trying to do what I can do for my teammates and trying to put my best foot forward for my teammates.”
Asked how it felt when he was so unstoppable, he said: “I don’t know how to answer that. It starts from the start of the week. It starts with my prep. That’s the main priority for me every week, just getting my prep right from the start, and it correlates into the game later in the week.”
If that is the case, the Blues won’t want to change a thing.
Olakau’atu grew up supporting Queensland, following the example of his father, and gained attention for a social media post in 2022 in which he said he had been a Maroons fan “since day dot”.
But he has since made clear his allegiance to NSW and was elevated by Michael Maguire two years ago.
A return to the State of Origin arena now beckons.
“Obviously, it would mean a lot. If I do [get picked] I’ll grab it with both hands,” Olakau’atu said.
“I feel like I’m heading in the right direction. We’ll see, man. It’s all God’s plan.”
Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.