Dual-threat enforcers offer hope in tough season
As the injury-hit Warriors attempt to snap a six-match NRL losing streak against South Sydney today, if there’s one thing that can boost belief it’s the form of their new-look front-row.
In just two games since Matt Lodge made the move from Brisbane, he and fellow enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake have already showed the makings of a formidable partnership and one coach Nathan Brown can build the squad around.
The pair virtually put the team on their backs during last week’s brave defeat to Penrith, keeping the secondplaced Panthers on the back foot for long periods while playing massive minutes as the Warriors battled on without a bench.
For Fonua-Blake, it was a return to the early-season form that had fans so excited following his arrival from Manly, before he was struck down by a serious leg injury.
The addition of Lodge has given opposition defences another imposing body to worry about, and Fonua-Blake says they have quickly started to feed off each other.
‘‘Lodge is a really good player. He was one of the Broncos’ best and coming here he brings a lot of experience,’’ the Tongan international said.
‘‘He’s very tough, does all the little things well so it’s very easy to work off the back of Matt.
‘‘He gets the sets started well and he’s very loud and very physical in [defence]. I’m really loving having him here at the moment and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and Matty here.’’
It wasn’t just the metres the two bookends churned through that stood out against the Panthers.
Lodge finished with eight offloads and whether it was passing in the tackle or before the defensive line, both he and Fonua-Blake created opportunities to attack through their skill.
It doesn’t stop with the starting props. Brown wants all his forwards to be comfortable promoting the football and believes it’s a style they need to master if
they want to become a contender.
‘‘The only way to become a top four club is that you certainly need to play some footy,’’ Brown said. ‘‘The Melbournes and Roosters and these types of clubs, if you just carry the ball into them one-out you don’t seem to cause them enough trouble.
‘‘What we saw the other day, you saw why we brought Matt Lodge to the club, why we brought Addin Fonua-Blake to the club, that’s the style of footy we’d like to play.
‘‘When Tohu [Harris] is fit, we’ve got three middles that are all rep-class to work with some young, emerging players. We feel that through our recruitment there that area of the field is a real good part for us.’’
With skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck recovering from a head knock and deputy Harris ruled out with a seasonending knee injury, Fonua-Blake will get to literally lead from the front against the Rabbitohs after being handed the captaincy.
It’s a first for the 25-year-old at NRL level, though he has been part of the Warriors’ leadership group all season after holding a similar position at Manly.
‘‘I captained a little bit in the under20s but that was about it,’’ Fonua-Blake added. ‘‘It’s such a proud moment for me and my family.
‘‘I’m going to try and lead with my actions rather than talk. Those are the type of guys you want to play with, the captains that lead by example.’’