The son of two Olympic athletes, Tolu Koula will make the Maroons pay if they give him room to move in the opening State of Origin encounter, according to Manly coach Kieran Foran.
Koula will make his debut on the wing for NSW at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old boasts blistering speed, and as a schoolboy champion considered following his Tongan parents in pursuing a career in athletics.
His mother, Ana Siulolo Liku, competed in the long jump at the 1996 Olympics and the 100m hurdles in Sydney, where she was also the Tongan flag-bearer.
Koula’s mother, Ana Siulolo Liku, was the Tongan flag-bearer at the 2000 Olympics. (Getty Images via Allsport: Clive Brunskill)
Koula’s father, Tolutau Koula Snr, represented Tonga at three Olympics between 1992 and 2000 in the 100m sprint.Â
Foran predicted Koula would light up the former Olympic stadium in Sydney just as his parents did 26 years ago.
“Speed, he’s got it in spades, he’s just so electric,” Foran said of the youngster.
“You look at some of the tries he’s been able to score for us in the early rounds of this season, it’s been pretty special.
“I think if he gets half an inch of space next Wednesday night, he’ll certainly make the Maroons pay for it.”
Koula, who has notched 92 matches for Manly and eight Tests for Tonga, was named on the wing despite usually lining up in the centres for the Sea Eagles.
Foran didn’t think he would have any trouble making the transition.
“He’ll be fine mate. Look, he’s so athletic and he really understands the game well and I think he’ll have no problem doing an extremely good job on the wing for New South Wales,” Foran said of Koula, who also played representative rugby as a junior.
“He’s just a footballer, right. You could put him anywhere on the field, as we’ve done with him over the years, and he just finds a way to inject himself into the contest, and I think it will be no different for him on Wednesday night.”
AAP
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