A deep love of family and sharing the same values has already created a strong bond between new NSW Coach Michael Maguire and Blues debutant Haumole Olakau’atu.
Maguire had always been a fan of the powerful Manly second-rower who had been touted as a Blues player for the past two years despite being overlooked.
However, the chance to personally sit down with Olakauátu to discuss his game and his personal values convinced Maguire it was time to reward the 25-year-old with selection for Game One at Accor Stadium.
“I’ve been super impressed with every meeting I’ve had with Haumole,’’ Maguire offered.
“Just about his knowledge and how he wants to improve as a player, those little one per centers we talk about. That improvement has now put him here in this (Origin) space.
“You only ever get there with the hard work you’ve done in the background.
“I guess what I got out of our conversations is the confidence from chatting around his knowledge. We spoke about the little things in the game.
“I thought ‘he is ready to go here’. Those little areas of the game is where I have seen the enormous lift in Haumole this year.”
Olakauátu revealed that he found himself opening up more to Maguire with each time the pair met.
“I guess it was the fact that he took his time to get to know me personally outside of footy. Not only that, but my family also,’’ Olakau’atu admitted.
“We spoke a couple of times. 'Madge' is very family orientated. Family is a big thing for me so I guess that’s kind of where we gelled together.
“That family bond brought us closer.”
A proud father to 18-month-old son Ofa and engaged to partner Ana, Olakauátu admits he is mentally and physically at his best now because of his settled life off the field.
He signed a new six-year-deal last December that sees him at the Sea Eagles to the end of 2031. He also purchased a new home for his parents.
“I do, actually. I’ve matured a lot over the past year. Being a father now, I had to,’’ Olakauátu said.
“I had no choice but to step up and mature and be there for my son, my partner, and also for my family as well.
“It isn’t easy being away from my son but I’m getting used to it now. Being a professional athlete, you travel a lot, so you get used to it.
“Everything I do is for him and my family. I will see him soon.”
And as for selection in the team, Olakau’atu said there was a ‘pinch myself moment’.
“When I first put the Blues jersey on, I went wow. I looked in the mirror and thought this is it,'' he said, smiling.
“This is what players dream of, to be able to get to do this.
“To be able to play Origin alongside some pretty big names in the game is extremely humbling.
“It’s going to mean the world to me to have my family there on Wednesday night at the game.
“I’m very happy for them too. They have been a big part of my journey to get to where I am now.
“I just want to go out there and play for them, our name, and for my state.”
