Haumole Olakau'atu Leads Tonga to Win Over England
The forward scored two tries after leading his team in the pre-match Sipi Tau war dance in Perth.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Surfing
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Haumole Olakau'atu played a central role in Tonga's 30-12 victory over England, leading the Sipi Tau war dance before the match. The performance followed his selection as the dance leader by team captains during the pre-tournament camp.
Why it matters
Olakau'atu's leadership and dual-try performance highlights his growing impact on the international stage after cementing his role in the squad. His performance demonstrates the depth of the Tongan side as they move forward in the tournament.
Olakau'atu logged 80 minutes on the field and scored 2 tries during the 30-12 victory. The 6-foot-5 (196cm) forward now holds 9 international caps for Tonga and has made 3 State of Origin appearances for New South Wales.
The players
Haumole Olakau'atu
He is a professional rugby league player who has represented Tonga nine times and appeared in the State of Origin series for New South Wales.
Jason Taumalolo
He serves as a co-captain for the Tonga national rugby league team and is a veteran of the professional game.
Addin Fonua-Blake
He is a co-captain of the Tonga national rugby league team known for his leadership and physicality on the field.
The details
Co-captains Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake selected Olakau'atu to lead the Sipi Tau on the second day of training camp. The forward spent the pre-tournament preparation period mastering the words to the traditional dance before executing it in Perth.
Timeline
October 17, 2026: Tonga defeated England in a match held in Perth.
October 18, 2026: The team participated in the second day of their pre-tournament camp.
October 23, 2026: Tonga is scheduled to play Lebanon.
Season Trajectory
The victory significantly bolsters Tonga's standing in the current tournament as they look toward upcoming matchups. A dominant win against a top-tier opponent like England signals a shift in the competitive balance within the group.
Olakau'atu's two-try performance provides a critical boost to Tonga's tournament point differential. Fans and analysts should track his continued role as the primary dance leader for the squad's upcoming fixture against Lebanon.
The takeaway
Cultural rituals like the Sipi Tau continue to be a defining component of Tongan rugby league identity and team cohesion. Players who successfully bridge the gap between performance on the field and leadership in cultural traditions often see their influence within the squad grow rapidly.
What happens next
Haumole Olakau'atu is slated to lead the Sipi Tau again when Tonga faces Lebanon on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
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