‘I made the wrong choice’: Haumole Olakau’atu apologises for ‘silly’ Origin decision

Haumole Olakau’atu feels like he let the Sea Eagles down for his brain snap in the State of Origin decider.

Reuben Garrick applauds the NRL for what they’re doing to protect players from serious brain injuries, but he insists he was fine two weeks ago when he was ruled out of the game by the independent head doctor. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Sea Eagles star Haumole Olakau’atu is desperate to make amends when he returns from suspension on Saturday afternoon against the Raiders having served a two-game ban for joining a sideline melee in the State of Origin decider when he wasn’t even playing.

Olakau’atu came off the bench for the Blues in the first two games but was dropped to 19th man for the decider at Suncorp Stadium that boiled over in the first half when a push and shove turned into a full-blown fracas that spilt onto the Queensland bench.

Jarome Luai was surrounded by Maroons so Cameron Murray – who was on the bench at the time – and Olakau’atu rushed over to protect him, with the pair hit with grade 3 contrary conduct charges given they weren’t on the field when the fight started.

Haumole Olakau’atu was banned for two matches for his role in the wild State of Origin scuffle. Picture NRL photos

Queensland legend Corey Parker slammed the punishment at the time and wanted Olakau’atu hit with a six-match ban given he was wearing a suit when he rushed in, but the edge forward has learnt his lesson and is ready to make it up to his teammates after serving his two-game ban.

The Sea Eagles won one of the two matches while he was out, with some fans suggesting he did nothing wrong given players are taught from a young age to protect their teammates at all costs.

“It’s a balance, but at the same time, it’s a choice,” he said, confirming no Manly officials made him feel guilty for his actions.

“There are some places where you make the right choices and some where you make the wrong ones, and in that moment I made the wrong choice.

“My club had to suffer for it so it’s on me. It all comes down to me just being silly and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The fact that the club had to suffer for that is on my end so I take full responsibility.

“I apologise for what happened, and hopefully we can move on and I can get my head around finals.”

For the Sea Eagles:

- Jason Saab failed his HIA - said to be “crook” in the sheds post match
- Reuben Garrick deemed Cat 1 by independent Dr (motor incoordination), would be his 3rd concussion of the season - Garrick himself “does not believe one bit he was concussed” 🫣 pic.twitter.com/vasXDl7Eeq

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 28, 2024

Olakau’atu will line up next to Reuben Garrick on the right edge, with the speedy centre back on deck after he was ruled out by the independent head doctor in their most recent loss to the Roosters.

Garrick has missed two games this year due to concussion, but he was adamant on the night that he was completely fine as he passed the HIA despite appearing to stumble following a tackle gone wrong on Daniel Tupou.

The NRL doubled down on the diagnosis with the chief medical officer suggesting Garrick had suffered a concussion, and while Garrick doesn’t agree, he can see what the sport is trying to do in their fight to protect players’ brains.

“It wasn’t diagnosed as that, so I just have a different viewpoint to what the Bunker ruled on that night,” he said.

“You can’t go back and change it so I just have to do a better job with my technique in the tackle.

“On the night I passed everything with flying colours, but I know that they’re trying to look after our best interests as players.

“I never want to take that away or be too harsh on them because I can see what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.

“It’s good for the game and it’s good for us as athletes because it shows that there’s a duty of care so I’m happy with what the league is doing in that space.

“The competitive side of you doesn’t want to miss footy, but I can see what they’re trying to do.”