The ‘crazy’ 2000 Olympics link and 100m record behind ‘incredible’ Blues debutant

More than two decades after his mother proudly carried the Tongan flag around Stadium Australia during the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Tolu Koula is preparing for a special moment of his own at the same iconic venue.

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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.

“It’s pretty crazy to make my Origin debut where my parents kind of competed at the Olympics,” Koula said.

“It’s pretty special. I didn’t even think of that, so it’s pretty mad.”

One of six debutants named by Laurie Daley in the Blues’ 19-man squad, Koula’s selection caps off a remarkable rise for the 24-year-old who has developed into one of the NRL’s deadliest players whenever the ball enters his hands.

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’s Origin series.

“I was a bit surprised, to be honest. I wasn’t really expecting it but I did know that there was a possibility of getting the call,” Koula said.

“When 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’m looking forward to it.

“He 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.

“I’m grateful that he’s had that faith in me and I look forward to paying him back and doing the state proud.”

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.

Would he follow his parents’ 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?

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.

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

“There was some thought but to be honest all through high school I just wanted to play footy,” Koula said.

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.

However, the appeal of rugby league ultimately proved too strong and he chose to remain in the code.

“There 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,” Koula added.

“I just wanted to play in the NRL and have been lucky enough to do so. The main goal was always to play footy.

“I started playing footy when I was five years old…I always enjoyed watching Daniel Tupou (and) Michael Jennings.”

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Opting to fully commit to rugby league over the other sports, the Mascot Jets junior has featured in 92 matches for the Sea Eagles since his debut in 2022 and scored 43 tries during this period, whilst being used in the centres, on the wing and at fullback.

But it is the last couple of seasons that saw him attract the attention of Blues officials, with the 23-year-old taking his game to new heights.

“He’s a very confident kid. When he gets on a footy field, he absolutely goes after it. It’s going to be no different come next Wednesday night,” teammate Tom Trbojevic said on SEN.

“The way that he moves is incredible. He’s going to be a real strike for them out wide.”

While all his focus is on defeating the Queensland Maroons on Wednesday night, Koula also wants to bring premiership success to the Sea Eagles, who haven’t won a title since 2011.

Extending with the Sea Eagles on the eve of this year’s campaign for another five years until at least the end of the 2031 season, Koula decided to recommit despite heavy interest from a number of rival teams, including the Perth Bears.

“There were a few other teams that came by but I spoke to my manager and I spoke to the boys (and) I’ve never really thought of leaving here,” Koula said.

“I’ve always seen this place as home and I’m glad I get to call it home long-term.

“I’ve played all my junior reps here and I’ve formed a close bond with all the boys.

“We’ve got a mad group here. Everyone’s very tight and I just want to be successful here and be successful here as a team and with all these boys that I’m close with.”

This wasn’t the first time he had rejected a rival club, as he previously turned down advances from the Wests Tigers at the beginning of his career.

“I’m very grateful that the club has kind of put that faith in me to keep me here long term,” Koula continued.

“I want to do my best to repay the club’s faith and hopefully bring glory back to Manly.”

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