Blair vows to improve form
WELLINGTON: Deja vu has descended on Adam Blair as critics round on his unconvincing start to the NRL season.
However, the Warriors veteran is adamant there is better to come.
The 33yearold forward has failed to make an impact through the opening six rounds for the 10thplaced Warrior, and his output dropped alarmingly in their games against South Sydney and North Queensland.
He played 80 minutes on the right edge in both losses.
Against the Rabbitohs he mustered just two runs and tallied 17m.
His output against the Cowboys on Saturday was a marginally better six runs for 36m.
It prompted one prominent sports columnist, Chris Rattue of the New Zealand Herald, to label Blair one of the Warriors’ ‘‘dumbest’’ signings when they agreed to a multimilliondollar threeyear deal beginning last year.
It’s the sort of vitriol Blair became accustomed to during a forgettable stint at the Wests Tigers from 2012 to 2014, where he was accused of being lazy and not caring.
A move to Brisbane seemed to revitalise his game for three seasons and he had some influential showings during last year’s run to the finals with the Warriors.
History suggests the 294game veteran can break out of his latest slump.
‘‘To be honest, I feel that I haven’t played my best football, I’m the first one to admit that,’’ he said yesterday.
‘‘I’ve been around for a while and I’ve been in Sydney for a long time and I copped it down there.
‘‘It’s nothing new. The thing for me is just believing in the person that you are and the ability that you have, and backing yourself.’’
Not only is his work rate down but his error count has been high.
Former Kiwis captain Blair said he would go back to basics in Thursday’s Anzac Day match against Melbourne, the club where he made his name from 2006 to 2011.— AAP