Top prop looking at layoff after leaving the field early

Warriors coach Nathan Brown is resigned to losing star prop Addin Fonua-blake for at least one week after he suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s defeat by the Roosters.

Fonua-blake was hurt early in the first half and, despite keeping warm on the sideline exercise bike, he was ruled out for much of the match as his team went down 32-12 at the SCG.

Brown couldn’t confirm the exact nature of Fonua-blake’s problem but expects to be fielding a side without the prop against Manly on Friday night.

“When blokes of that toughness come off, there’s a problem.

“You’ve just got to hope that it’s only a minor one and he doesn’t miss too much [footy],” Brown said.

“I don’t know what Addin’s problem is at the moment, but I’d be highly surprised if he was going to be able to play just looking at the fact he came off after [13] minutes and he couldn’t go back on.

“It’d be highly unlikely [to play] on such a short turnaround … I’ve got a few blokes wounded.

“Unfortunately, we lost a couple in the first half like they did.

“In the current game, sides are going through a bit of carnage with injuries.”

Lock Jazz Tevaga spent time off the field with what seemed to be an ankle injury but returned while back rower Bailey Sironen ended the match with an arm in a sling.

The extended absence of his forward leader didn’t help, but Brown paid credit to the Roosters after “they blew us off our legs” with an up-tempo style of play.

“We’re playing top-four teams, so [we leaked] too many points, for sure … When we came up against those top-four sides, it showed that we’ve got some work to do.

“We’re not quite where we’d like to be but that’s where we are at the minute.”

Brown’s troops began the second term with a wave of possession but failed to capitalise, though he didn’t blame playmakers Kodi Nikorima and Sean O’sullivan for that.

“It’s hard to be too critical of your halves under those situations [losing the ruck battle],” he said. — Nrl.com

When blokes of that toughness come off, there’s a problem. Warriors coach Nathan Brown

Photo / Photosport The Warriors aren’t expecting to have metre eater Addin Fonua-blake in their side on Friday after he left the field after 13 minutes against the Roosters.