The son of former Tongan Olympians Ana Siulolo Liku and Tolutau Koula Snr, the dynamic Manly Sea Eagles star will return to the same stadium where his family once represented Tonga on the world stage when he makes his State of Origin debut for the NSW Blues.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779017096_680_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty crazy to make my Origin debut where my parents kind of competed at the Olympics,\u201d Koula said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty special. I didn\u2019t even think of that, so it\u2019s pretty mad.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of six debutants named by Laurie Daley in the Blues\u2019 19-man squad, Koula\u2019s selection caps off a remarkable rise for the 24-year-old who has developed into one of the NRL\u2019s deadliest players whenever the ball enters his hands.<\/p>\n
Known for his explosive speed, powerful running game and ability to turn nothing into something, the outside back admitted he was surprised after being told he would be representing his state in the series-opener of this year\u2019s Origin series.<\/p>\n
Flag Bearer Ana Siulolo Liku leads round the Tongan Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Credit: Clive Brunskill \/AllsportSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a bit surprised, to be honest. I wasn\u2019t really expecting it but I did know that there was a possibility of getting the call,\u201d Koula said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it did come (I was) just very excited. Told my family and they were a bit emotional but very blessed to be picked in this team and I\u2019m looking forward to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gave me a call and said that he liked what I had been doing so far this season and from last year as well and said that I was in the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful that he\u2019s had that faith in me and I look forward to paying him back and doing the state proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Koula was always destined for a bright future in the sporting arena, but the only question was which sport that future would come in.<\/p>\n
Would he follow his parents\u2019 footsteps and pursue athletics, or go down the path of rugby league or rugby union, where he had already begun turning heads from a young age?<\/p>\n
Even though he broke the AAGPS Schoolboys Open 100-metre record in 2019 with a time of 10.58 seconds, Koula always felt his future lay on the football field rather than the running track.<\/p>\n
Koula easily won the race.Source: SuppliedKoula finished in first place.Source: SuppliedIt was a meet record.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n
This is despite his father competing at the Olympics in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000) in the 100-metre event and his mother also being a three-time Olympian, representing Tonga in the same Olympics in hurdles and long jump<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was some thought but to be honest all through high school I just wanted to play footy,\u201d Koula said.<\/p>\n
Turning his back on a potential athletics career, there was also interest from rugby union, where he spent time in the NSW Waratahs Academy and was named in the Under-18s Australian Schoolboys union side alongside Joseph Suaalii, Billy Pollard, Carter Gordon and Glen Vaihu.<\/p>\n
However, the appeal of rugby league ultimately proved too strong and he chose to remain in the code.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere definitely was (a thought of going down the union path) but I think towards my last year of school, I just fully committed to Manly and wanted to play in the NRL,\u201d Koula added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted to play in the NRL and have been lucky enough to do so. The main goal was always to play footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started playing footy when I was five years old\u2026I always enjoyed watching Daniel Tupou (and) Michael Jennings.\u201d<\/p>\n