This week’s episode talks to Patrick Skene about his new book The Big O: The Life and Times of Olsen Filipaina - Pacific Revolution Pioneer. Olsen was a colossus of New Zealand rugby league in the 1980s and left an indelible impression on those who saw him play - and an even bigger one on those who played against him.
In an era when the number of Pacific Island players in Australian rugby league was tiny, Olsen showed the way for future generations of Polynesian league players (and a number of union players too; he was Jonah Lonu’s idol). But being a pioneer meant that Olsen paid a terrible price in the racism that he faced in the Australian game. Pat’s book looks at Olsen’s life in league and beyond, and explores the huge legacy that ‘The Big O’ left for the sport.
For more details about the book go to http://thebigo.kiwi
You can see Olsen in his pomp in this YouTube showreel.