![\"Christian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f.png\")
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April 26, 2026 \u2014 6:11pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Watching Manly and Parramatta at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon felt like being at an under-6s game when one team just keeps feeding the ball to their biggest and best player to wreak havoc.<\/p>\n Haumole Olakau\u2019atu was that go-to man for the Sea Eagles, with his impact on both sides of the ball going a long way to seal a 33-18 win.<\/p>\n One of the loudest cheers belted out from the main grandstand when Olakau\u2019atu was given an early mark with seven minutes remaining.<\/p>\n The Tongan wrecking ball was outstanding as Manly made it four wins on the trot. Caretaker coach Kieran Foran finally got to celebrate a win at home.<\/p>\n Foran lost Tom Trbojevic last week to a hamstring injury \u2013 at least he gets the best seat in the house to witness Olakau\u2019atu in full flight.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been unbelievable, Haumole is such a special player, I think the sky is the limit for him \u2013 he\u2019s got something not many players have got,\u201d Foran said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just needs to keep doing what he\u2019s doing. His performances at the moment are very special. He\u2019s probably realised now how damaging he can be. For Haumole, it\u2019s about having that internal belief.\u201d<\/p>\n The back-rower crunched Dylan Walker just before half-time, which left the former Manly utility with his arm in the sling. Ronald Volkman passed a head injury assessment when hit around the chest by Olakau\u2019atu, but may need a little longer to overcome the threat of potentially being monstered like that again.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old Olakau\u2019atu had the big crowd on their feet every time Manly spread the ball right. Not only did he require three and four defenders trying to stop him, but he was always looking to squeeze the offload. One of his first carries in the second half had Jack Williams wobbling about on his feet.<\/p>\n Olakau\u2019atu\u2019s combination with Jamal Fogarty continues to improve, and the on-field chemistry with fellow Tongan Tolu Koula is a bonus. He is an aerial threat, and because of his sheer presence, is always creating room for his teammates because defenders only have eyes on the future Manly captain.<\/p>\n The knee injury to Liam Martin means NSW need a new right-edge back-rower for at least Origin I Canterbury\u2019s Jacob Preston and South Sydney\u2019s Tallis Duncan have been excellent, but Queensland would hate the idea of containing Olakau\u2019atu. Foran said \u201cwithout a doubt\u201d he would pick Olakau\u2019atu for the Blues.<\/p>\n There are plenty of good times to be had on the northern beaches right now. The Eels\u2019 win comes after defeats of the Cowboys, Dragons and Dolphins.<\/p>\n The toughest game on the calendar, however, awaits next Sunday evening when Manly take on Penrith, then premiers Brisbane.<\/p>\n Fogarty came from the field with a few minutes remaining and was pointing to his groin. Manly will be hoping it is nothing more than a strain.<\/p>\n Cult hero Jake Trbojevic scored the opening try inside five minutes when Eels centre Will Penisini dropped a Fogarty kick.<\/p>\n The crowd erupted once they spotted Trbojevic\u2019s famous black headgear bob up in the middle of the pack.<\/p>\n Parramatta wasted no time hitting back via Brian Kelly who bounced out of a Lehi Hopoate tackle and crossed in the right corner.<\/p>\n![\"Beast](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ea3c53dceae6561a9117a34a91ade52d8f4b6bd4efa1f675cb04fba579593f1e.jpeg\")
Beast mode: Haumole Olakau\u2019atu was outstanding in Manly\u2019s win.NRL<\/p>\n![\"Jake](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a10c27eecc1c7052c765e2aa45f8159088affaaf.jpeg\")
Jake Trbojevic celebrated the first try of the afternoon. Getty Images<\/p>\n
![\"Jarome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e38fc9ac7ca6da2180293aafafa67360fc16543b.jpeg\")
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