Moment of destiny: Koula walking familiar path to Olympic stadium
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NSW debutant Tolu Koula is ready to fulfil a destiny 26 years in the making when he runs on to Accor Stadium for the opening game of the State of Origin series on Wednesday night.
Koula’s parents represented Tonga at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, his mother carrying the nation’s flag for the Opening Ceremony before competing in the shot put and his dad contesting the 100-metre sprint.
It’s fitting the biggest moment of the 23-year-old’s young rugby league career will come at the same venue his parents achieved their sporting dreams and Koula is determined to make the most of the chance to perform at the Olympic stadium.
Koula hits the gas
“It’s pretty crazy to make my Origin debut here where my parents competed at the Olympics,” Koula said. “It’s pretty special.
“I’ve seen a few clips of them competing, there’s not too many going around. I’ve watched clips of dad running and it’s cool to watch.”
A star sprinter growing up, Koula still holds the GPS record for the 100m and toyed with the idea of pursuing his athletics ambitions. In an alternate reality, the youngster is currently lacing up the spikes in search of a start at the 2028 LA Olympics.
Instead, the Blues are set to unleash Koula’s devastating speed on the Maroons defence as they look to open their series with a victory.
Speed has always held currency in rugby league but it has taken on even greater importance in the hyperdrive version of the game being played in 2026.
This Koula try had a bit of everything
The outside back has scored five tries, with 10 line-breaks and five try assists as the Sea Eagles have surged up the ladder this season.
NSW Coach Laurie Daley has made no secret of his desire to score points throughout the series and Koula is eager to ensure his Manly form translates to the Origin arena.
“There was some thought to pursuing athletics but honestly all through high school I just wanted to play footy,” Koula said. “I just wanted to play in the NRL and I’ve been lucky enough to do so.
“Laurie told me he liked what I’ve been doing so far this season when he said I’m in the team. I’m grateful he’s had that faith in me and I look forward to paying him back and doing the state proud.”
Koula’s maiden Origin appearance caps a rapid rise from teenage sprinter to NRL debut in 2022 and now a NSW call up four years later.
He will, however, line up in the unfamiliar position of wing on the left edge outside centre Stephen Crichton.
The entirety of Koula’s NRL career has been spent at centre or fullback, with the youngster’s experience on the wing consigned to five games in NSW Cup prior to his first grade debut and four Tests for Tonga.
Tolutau Koula Try
While some have questioned whether the selection leaves the Blues exposed, Daley has no doubts about the youngster’s ability to star in his new role.
“We know he’ll handle it,” Daley said. “When you’ve played in the centres, there is some difference between centre and wing, but he’s also played fullback so he understands what a defensive system looks like.
“He understands when a winger needs to drop back and when he needs to stay up in the line so that won’t be an issue for him.
“When you’re playing in a different position, decisions that need to be made are crucial but speaking to Kieran Foran at Manly, he’s got no doubt in the world that if given an opportunity, then he was going to handle it. That was enough for us to make the call with him.”
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