Fonua-Blake confirms desire to play Origin

Star Warriors prop Addin FonuaBlake has confirmed his desire to play State of Origin should the rules be eased on player selection.

State of Origin has always been a game between Australia’s best, with players who have represented the sport’s other tier one nations — New Zealand and England — excluded.

Fonua-Blake, who was born in Australia, represented New Zealand at under-20 level and played one test for the Kiwis in 2017, before switching allegiance to Tonga.

“I didn’t really understand it back then,” Fonua-Blake admitted of how his decision to represent New Zealand at under-20s level would impact his ability to play State of Origin.

“I thought it was just a 20s thing, I didn’t know it carried on to first-grade. I’ve got no regrets and am happy with my decisions, I just didn’t understand the eligibility rules at the time. I would have definitely thought about it more if someone had explained it to me.”

That rule has seen several of the game’s biggest names unable to take part in its biggest series of the year. This week, there have been suggestions the rules could be eased to allow players such as Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo to be selected. Taumalolo was born in Auckland and represented New Zealand in 10 tests during 2014-17, before also switching to Tonga. Despite spending his 198-game NRL career with North Queensland, dating back to 2010, he cannot be selected in the Queensland Origin squad.

“I feel like it would only help to grow the game,” Fonua-Blake said. “Jason’s one of those players who puts bums in seats.

“You see a lot of people saying you have to be born into it, but if you put the more quality players in the game, the more people would come to watch it.”

Fonua-Blake said if eligibility rules were eased, he would be among those players eager to take part.

“I was born in Queensland but played my first footy [in New South Wales], so I’m not sure where my eligibility lies. But if that rule gets passed — they would have to select me first — but if I did make the team, I’d love the opportunity to represent the state. They’ve got a good team, the Blues, and so do Queensland — they won the series last year.

“But if they called on me, I’d jump on the spot, welcome it with both hands and back-fence it.”

I would have definitely thought about it more if someone had explained it to me. Addin Fonua-Blake