NRL: Defence key for Manly ahead of Canberra test in Mudgee

A star in a team known for its attacking flair, Manly backrower Haumole Olakau’atu believes his side went a long way towards addressing its defensive issues in a gritty 13-12 win over Canterbury last Sunday night.

The Round 3 victory – an emotional one after the unveiling of the new and packed Bob Fulton Stand at 4 Pines Park – opened the Sea Eagles’ win account for the 2022 NRL season.

And the home side took plenty of positives out of a tryless second half, going on to show plenty of grit in the second stanza, after it took a 12-10 lead into the break.

“Definitely defence. It was the one thing we were focusing on the whole week,” Olakau’atu told BettingSite.com.au after being asked what his team improved on following its first two losses of the season, comprehensive defeats to Penrith (28-6) and the Roosters (26-12).

“I was just happy to get the win. It wasn’t a good first two weeks, but we were just happy to turn it around.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the Sea Eagles, set to face Canberra in Round 4 action at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Oval on Saturday night.

The Raiders are seventh with a 2-1 record and are on a collective high after a stunning 24-22 comeback win over Gold Coast last Saturday night.

The Titans held a 22-0 lead after 37 minutes, with respective Australia and New Zealand representative props Josh Papalii (120m) and Joseph Tapine (148m) crucial in the fightback for the Green Machine.

“They’re tough boys (the Raiders) and they have a big forward pack with a lot of offloads,” Olakau’atu said.

“Papalii being a veteran in the game, we’ll have to up our game against a veteran like him.”

Olakau’atu has enjoyed a fine start to the season, with high involvements in both attack and defence, carrying on the outstanding year he had in 2021.

That was when he was nominated for the Dally M second-rower of the year award.

He said Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler has helped him with his work ethic.

“He’s helped me with the little things like line speed and stuff in defence, especially in the pre-season,” the towering backrower said.

Olakau’atu is looking forward to the return of fellow exciting attacking second-rower Josh Schuster from an ankle syndesmosis injury inside the next few weeks.

“I can’t wait for him to come back. He’s got a couple of weeks left. He’s started running, so he should be back soon,” he said.

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