There is no denying Haumole Olakau’atu’s passion for NSW when it comes to State of Origin – especially in a series decider.
In sensational scenes, NSW’s 19th man Haumole Olakau’atu was sent from the Suncorp Stadium sideline after getting himself involved in a first-half melee.
He was impossible to miss given he was wearing his game day suit.
Incredibly, Blues star Cameron Murray then became the first player to be sin-binned from the interchange bench for his role in the stoush.
Olakau’atu jumped into the fight from the NSW bench – in his suit – after Jarome Luai and Daly Cherry-Evans clashed, with the resulting fracas spilling over the sideline.
A fired up Olakau’atu rushed into the fight and engaged in a push-and-shove with Maroons winger Valentine Holmes.
Murray and Jeremiah Nanai were both sin-binned afterwards, while Olakau’atu was banished from the sidelines and sent to the Blues dressing room to cool down.
He was then only allowed to watch the rest of the match from either the dressing room or the Blues’ coaching box.
The Sea Eagles backrower appeared for the Blues in the first two games of the series – but was overlooked by coach Michael Maguire for the decider.
Maguire’s opposite Billy Slater was chasing his third straight series win, but in the end he came up short, with NSW winning 14-4.
Speaking post game, Wally Lewis medal winner Angus Crichton paid tribute to the culture Maguire created in camp.
‘We knew what we were chasing and were capable of,’ he said.
‘We definitely felt the pressure…..but this is a special team and a great group of boys.’
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