Blacktown Workers forward Haumole Olakau’atu suffers sickening elbow injury

Manly Sea Eagles forward Haumole Olakau’atu has suffered a sickening elbow injury in the NSW Cup. GRAPHIC WARNING.

Haumole Olakau’atu's sickening elbow injury.

GRAPHIC WARNING

Blacktown Workers forward Haumole Olakau’atu has suffered a nasty elbow injury during Sunday afternoon’s 48-20 victory over the North Sydney Bears.

During the second half of the NSW Cup clash in Blacktown, Olakau’atu wrestled with opposition winger Matt Ikuvalu following a tackle.

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As Ikuvalu tried to get up from the collision, he dragged the 22-year-old’s arm until he landed awkwardly on the turf, dislocating his elbow.

The Bears players turned away in disgust when they noticed the ghastly injury, which left Olakau’atu’s arm pointing in the wrong direction.

Warning graphic:
Nasty elbow dislocation for Manly forward Haumole Olakau'atu. If clean dislocation can actually be as quick a return as 3-4 weeks, but concern for significant ligament damage and/or fracture here which would be 6+ weeks recovery. Wish him the best pic.twitter.com/ei63otPCjl

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 14, 2021

The reactions from the opposing players says it all 🤢 pic.twitter.com/iqUPwiymWm

— Roast (@thenrlroast) March 14, 2021

Ikuvalu was subsequently sent off the field with officials citing the incident as a chicken wing tackle.

Some viewers were baffled by the decision, arguing Ikuvalu did not intentionally attempt to harm his opponent.

And with one less player on the field, the Bears conceded 24 points in the final 20 minutes as Blacktown sealed a comfortable victory.

Manly five-eighth Cade Cust scored a hat-trick for Blacktown, while Toafofoa Sipley and Zac Saddler both mustered doubles.

Ikuvalu has played 23 first-grade games for the Sydney Roosters since making his NRL debut in 2018, while Olakau’atu has featured in seven games for the Manly Sea Eagles.

Joseph Suaalii, playing for the North Sydney Bears in a NSW Cup match against Blacktown Workers.

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Playing in his first senior competitive game at NSW Cup level, teenage phenom Joseph Suaalii snared two tries for North Sydney.

The 17-year-old completed a regulation try on the right wing before leaping above his rivals and diving over the tryline to secure the double.

Sam Walker to Joseph Suaalii for the Bears!

And Suaalii just scored his second in his first NSW Cup game

Watch on Fox 502 pic.twitter.com/t1AlmItXdd

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 14, 2021

Speaking on Fox League’s commentary, former rugby league hardman Mark Carroll said Suaalii was the contest’s standout performer.

“I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more work from him, or maybe get the ball to him more,” Carroll said.

“Every time he got the ball, he stood out like a beacon. I just think he needs a little bit more effect.

“He went in the middle a couple of times, but they’ve got to work a way to get him the ball a lot more.

“He certainly put his body on the line — his defence was great.

“One of the best things about him, for a young kid out there watching, he’s wearing a helmet. Does it help you? It gives you confidence. So any kid out there, so if you want to follow a young kid in rugby league, we had Thurston wearing the helmet, now we’ve got Suaalii — a fantastic kid to follow.”