Emotion-charged Olakau’atu finds form as rep return beckons

“It was good, we as a collective knew we had to come out and get a win, especially get a win for Foz, (in his) first game being head coach, so, a special night for him and the club as a whole,” Olakau’atu said.

“Everyone knows what happened … and knows it's a hard pill to take and thankfully the boys got together and we just connected throughout the week.

“We knew we had to come out and try and play for each other and play for the fans back home and in the community, so I'm glad we did that and just glad to get the two points.

“Obviously there was a bit of emotion as well for Foz and for us as players being able to have history with Foz as well … we played together for the back end of his career, so there's a lot more meaning and purpose to this game and just glad we won for him.

“I'm just glad I went out there and was myself and didn't have any structural plan, just go out there and run my hardest and tackle hard.

"Foz has given me that free will to do that and I feel like I was in my flow state so I'm glad to have played a good game, but it's only the start.”

The Tonga second-rower was also hoping to maintain that form into this year’s World Cup, after injury plagued his 2025 season. A pre-season trip to the islands also gave the NSW Origin aspirant a fresh perspective which he has brought into this season.

“I've had my best pre-season... I've had to overcome a few minor setbacks [multiple shoulder dislocations], but I'm glad I'm in this position now and I'm playing really good footy now," he said.

“When I got there (to Tonga), it was a very humbling experience, it was good to kind of just put your feet up and just enjoy the moment and family and friends.

“Sydney's very fast, everything's quick, so, it was good to go back home to the motherland and just cruise a bit in a way.

“A bit of connection with family and the culture and the heritage, so it was good.

“When I scored that try, I threw up a ‘T’ sign, so, it's definitely something I'm very proud of, very proud to be Tongan and (playing in the Rugby League World Cup is) definitely something I'm thinking about as well towards the back end of the season.

“Really excited for when that comes, but right now I'm all about playing for Manly.”

The Sea Eagles will travel to Wollongong on Friday to take on a Dragons side desperate to turn around a 0-5 start to their season.