Fonua-Blake backs young guns to fill his big boots
The kids are all right. That’s the message from Warriors forward Addin Fonua-Blake, as the club prepare for life after him next year.
As one of the NRL’s premier front rowers, Fonua-Blake rocked the Warriors at the end of 2023 with a request to leave the club.
And while the 28-year-old was convinced to play out this season, he has signed for the Cronulla Sharks from 2025.
With Fonua-Blake commanding the highest salary for a prop in the NRL — understood to be worth more than $1 million per season — the Warriors will need to be careful how they replace their star man.
Players agents will unquestionably have their sights set on the Kiwi club, who have money to spend on their front row stocks. The Warriors have already been knocked back by Sharks prop Braden Hamlin-Uele, as a sign they’re prepared to look to the player market to replace Fonua-Blake.
After that, though, the Warriors are revealing little.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has already hinted at shifting Marata Niukore from the second row into the middle, emphasised by the arrival of Kurt Capewell in his position.
The likes of Mitchell Barnett and Bunty Afoa have proven capable in Webster’s time at the club.
But for Fonua-Blake, the solution as to who fills his sizeable shoes might already be on the club’s books.
Thanks to a combination of firstteam injuries and an impressive junior pathway, the Warriors have been able to blood young talent during Webster’s tenure.
This year, Zyon Maiu’u impressed briefly in pre-season, while fellow rookie Jacob Laban made his firstgrade debut against South Sydney.
And having been playing and training alongside the next generation, Fonua-Blake believes the future is in safe hands at Mt Smart.
“[There are] a number of players who could do it,” Fonua-Blake said. “Jakey Laban, Zyon and Demetric [Sifakula] who is injured at the moment, they all could do it.
“My job now is just to make sure I give them as much knowledge as I’ve got. I feel like the club’s in a good spot for when I move on.”
Whoever is backed to start 2025 wearing No 8 will have a tough job replacing Fonua-Blake.
Last year, in particular, saw him reach heights in the NRL rarely seen by a front rower, and recognised with a Dally M Prop of the Year award.
But despite his successes with the Warriors, Fonua-Blake won’t be looking to imprint himself on the new wave of players.
“Not much really, that’s Webby and them’s job. They obviously got the call-up for a reason.
“They don’t have to be something they’re not. We have a lot of young boys here who are very big and like to run the ball. It’s just about them knowing what their strengths are.
“Big Jakey is nearly seven foot. He doesn’t need to run it sideways. Just get the ball and run it straight, mate.”
Last year saw Fonua-Blake, as well as a host of Warriors teammates, put in career-best seasons under Webster’s tutelage.
In 26 games, he scored nine tries and had 73 tackle breaks, to go with 714 tackles made.
Already in 2024, Fonua-Blake has scored twice, broken 16 tackles and made 157 of his own.
Having clarity over his future has helped, and wanting to end his Warriors tenure on a high is all the motivation Fonua-Blake needs to play out his time at Mt Smart.
“There’s a weight off my shoulders but I’ve still got a job here to do. I’m not looking too far ahead.
“I’m worried about what I can do to get my body right every week for the Warriors. I feel like I’ve been doing that so far. It’s only early but I feel like I’m progressing really well.”