NRL star confirms move to Warriors in 2021
NRL star Addin Fonua-Blake has confirmed he will be joining the Warriors next season after asking to leave the Manly Sea Eagles.
Fonua-Blake, who still had two years left on his Manly contract, told his club last week he and his young family wanted to move from Sydney.
The Tongan international took to Instagram yesterday to announce his move.
“Hardest decision I’ve had to make of my career, but after six years with this family [Manly], my time has come to an end,” Fonua-Blake wrote.
“I’d like to thank everyone from the coaching staff and all the players to all the loyal fans that stuck with us/me through every hard time we had over the past six years.
“Excited/nervous about what waits for me next at the Warriors.”
Reports out of Australia last week suggested the Warriors matched Fonua-Blake’s deal with Manly in an $850,000 three-year offer.
Fonua-Blake’s addition will inject an established presence into an already deep forward pack for 2021 which also includes Kane Evans and Ben Murdoch-Masila.
The 24-year-old leads all NRL front rowers for metresper-run, with more than 10, and has a tackle efficiency rating of more than 93 per cent.
He has also seen his fair share of controversy. In July, he copped a two-match ban and $20,000 fine for calling referee Grant Atkins a “f***ing retard”, as well as being one of a number of players to refuse flu vaccinations that were mandatory for players to cross the Queensland border.
“Addin’s signing could be one of the most important the club’s history,” said Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.
“He is exactly what we have been looking for to bring into our squad.
“The transformation of our pack is almost complete having Addin along with Evans and Murdoch-Masila plus the rise of young players like Eliesa (Katoa), Jamayne (Taunoa-Brown) and Jack (Murchie) and injured players returning to complement the skill and work rate of Tohu (Harris) and Jazz (Tevaga).
“Addin has a big motor, power, the skill set and the body shape to take our pack to a new level.”
Excited/nervous about what waits at the Warriors.
Addin Fonua-Blake