Manly Warringah Sea Eagles stars Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula have again been selected for New South Wales, this time for Game II of the 2026 Ampol State of Origin series.
Both players have been in outstanding form for the Sea Eagles this season and were part of the Blues side that won the opening game of the series at Accor Stadium.
After missing Manly’s loss to Cronulla the previous weekend, both returned to help secure a win over South Sydney in Round 14 at ‘Foz Pines Park’ on Thursday night.
Koula was cleared to play after suffering a head knock in Origin I and made an immediate impact. He broke more tackles than any other player on the field and provided an exquisite pass for his team’s fifth and final try.
The 23-year-old has developed into an outside back who can strike from anywhere. He’s scored five tries in 11 appearances for Manly this season, averaging 180 run metres per game.
Against the Rabbitohs, Olakau’atu chalked up a staggering 266 run metres from 22 carries with 140 of those metres being post contact.
His numbers have been off the charts in 2026. The right-edge wrecking ball has broken more tackles and run for more metres on average per game than any other forward in the NRL.
Once again, congratulations boys.
The Blues have named a 21-player squad for Game II at the MCG on Wednesday 17 June.
Westpac NSW Blues 21-player squad
Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
Isaiya Katoa** (Dolphins)
Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Tolu Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Dylan Lucas** (Newcastle Knights)
Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
