A brilliant career blighted by racism
Roughly half of all today’s NRL players are of Maori or Pacific descent, but back in 1980, there were just four such four players, of which Olsen Filipaina was one.
Racially abused by opponents and crowds and treated badly by his coaches, Filipaina spent seven unhappy seasons with Balmain, Eastern SuburRugby League Heroes: Olsen Filipaina
A brilliant career blighted by racism
Roughly half of all today’s NRL players are of Maori or Pacific descent, but back in 1980, there were just four such four players, of which Olsen Filipaina was one.
Racially abused by opponents and crowds and treated badly by his coaches, Filipaina spent seven unhappy seasons with Balmain, Eastern Subur
