Blair on the money
STEVE Kearney has got his man with the Warriors securing Kiwi Test enforcer Adam Blair in a $2.4 million recruitment coup that has ripped the heart out of Brisbane’s front-row.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is resigned to losing Blair, who is keeping his playing future a closelyguarded secret as he prepares for tomorrow night’s suddendeath final against the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
Blair is reluctant to destabilise his teammates by discussing his personal contract situation at such a critical stage of the season, but the Broncos have lost the battle and expect to see him in Warriors colours in 2018.
The Warriors are confident of formalising Blair’s signing when the curtain comes down on the Broncos’ season. Newcastle and the Dragons had expressed interest in Blair but both have dropped out of the race – another sign the 31-year-old will head to New Zealand, the country of his birth.
Brisbane will not go to the open market in search of Blair’s replacement. Bennett remains hopeful of convincing prop Matt Lodge to shelve retirement plans, while Josh McGuire is set to return to the engine room to accommodate Sharks import Jack Bird at lock.
Underlining his team-first ethos, Blair considered shunning the Warriors’ massive offer and staying loyal, but the Broncos have told him he would be foolish to sacrifice $1.8 million.
“What I’m doing is not going to affect the way we perform,” Blair said.
“Everyone understands that we can’t keep everyone at this club. I’m at the age where I have to do the right thing by myself and my family and the Broncos.
“If I was single and by myself, I would have made a decision by now because you don’t have to worry about anyone else, but I have a lot of people to think about.”