NRL 2022: Haumole Olakau’atu and Toluta’u Koula break silence on Manly pride jersey saga

After maintaining their silence since controversially opting to sit out Manly’s Pride jersey match, two Sea Eagles stars have finally told their side of the story.

Manly players Haumole Olakau’atu and Toluta'u Koula have broken their silence on the pride jersey saga.

Manly forward Haumole Olakau’atu called his parents the night he found out about the Pride jersey. Their advice was simple. Follow your heart they told him.

So Olakau’atu did just that. He sat out the Sea Eagles’ game against the Sydney Roosters along with six others and Manly’s season turned in an instant.

The Sea Eagles lost seven games to end last season, a club was torn apart, and coach Des Hasler was given his marching orders, dramatically sacked last week.

Olakau’atu and Toluta’u Koula have maintained their silence since but under bleak skies in the north of England on Friday morning (AEDT) they were given the chance to tell their side of the story.

Moments after completing a training session with Tonga, the softly-spoken pair made it clear they had no regrets over their decision to stand down on religious grounds.

They denied the club was fractured and spoke about their disappointment at the axing of Hasler. They revealed they had been targeted on social media but had fallen back on their families and their faith for support.

They urged the Trbojevic boys — Jake and Tom — to stay at the cub amid rumours they are unhappy. They said they were looking forward, not back.

“It was really difficult,” Olakau’atu said.

Haumole Olakau’atu has no regrets over his decision to stand down on religious grounds. Picture: NRL Photos

“I don’t know what else to say. I hope everyone just respects our decision and moves on. My faith comes first before anything. It is who I am.

“I called my parents after finding out about the jersey that night and they said just to follow my heart. It made it 10 times easier, especially growing up in a religious family.

“It made it 10 times easier.”

Koula, a star in Tonga’s opening game at the World Cup, found himself in the crosshairs at the age of 19.

“There was some hate out there but I tried not to pay too much attention to it,” Koula said.

“During that period I tried to stay off social media as much as I could. It was pretty tough not winning too many games at the back end of the season. I think the main thing for us boys was trying to stay closer to each other.

“It was a rollercoaster of a season to say the least.”

Tolutau Koula tried to ignore the reaction to his decision. Picture: Getty Images

A season that ultimately cost Hasler his job.

“I really have not tried to think about what has gone on back home with Dessie and the club,” Olakau’atu said.

“I have tried to distance myself from them for now. I try my best to be in the moment, the present, with all the boys.

“I am enjoying my time here right now. It is all very sad, very sad for him.

“He is a great bloke on and off the field. I wish nothing but the best for him. I texted him after I woke up and found out that he got sacked.

“I messaged him later that night wishing him all the best. I was telling him how gutted I was for him.

“I know it is hard for him but I just wish him all the best.”

Manly players wore a rainbow pride jersey for the round 20 NRL clash with the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

A Manly fan shows support for the Pride jersey match.

Koula offered a similar sentiment, having been given his chance in first grade by Hasler.

“When we found out the news we were pretty gutted,” he said.

“Des was so loyal to us. I didn’t really know too much about what was going on — I just woke up one morning to the news.

“I was pretty gutted to see him go. My first response was real sadness to see it unfold that way.

“I kind of looked up to him. He was a great coach.”

Des Hasler was sacked as Sea Eagles coach after Manly’s season imploded. Picture: Getty Images

Manly is set to be in the hands of Anthony Seibold but their fate next season will largely be determined by how the players unite after the disastrous end to last season.

Winning is a habit and Manly have fallen out of it. Olakau’atu and Koula have got a taste of it again at the World Cup with Tonga — they won their opening game against Papua New Guinea.

Tolutau Koula. Picture: Getty Images

Haumole Olakau'atu. Picture: Getty Images

The hope is that they can continue that form throughout the tournament and then take that winning feeling back to their club.

Faith is in their DNA and they have faith that Many can turn things around and become a powerhouse again.

“I don’t know if I have forgotten the feeling but it has been a while since I felt it,” Koula said.

“There was never (a divide in the dressing room). We were tight through it all.

“I think everything that happened brought everyone closer to each other. We all had each other’s backs.

“It was really tough. All the boys after all the games were really down. Don’t get me wrong - it wasn’t like that all the time.

“We still had some cracking times together. Hopefully we can turn it around next season.

“Even though the last couple of months wasn’t the best for our team, being around the boys was really good.

“The boys were still vibing and had the energy.”

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