Warriors secure world-class prop

The Warriors have signed one of the best props in the NRL, with Addin FonuaBlake agreeing to join the Warriors on a three-year deal from next season.

The 24-year-old was last week given permission by the Sea Eagles to talk to any club outside Sydney about a switch.

The Warriors immediately went after the Kiwis and Tongan international and have secured his services through to the end of the 2023 season.

Fonuai-Blake broke the news of his move on Instagram, saying it wasn’t an easy decision for him to leave the Sea Eagles. ‘‘Hardest decision I’ve had to make of my career but after six years with this family my time has come to an

end,’’ Fonua-Blake wrote.

It’s hard to understate the significance of the signing of Fonua-Blake for the Warriors.

He will give them a dynamic edge that has been missing in their forward pack for several years and along with other signings, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Kane

Evans, transforms the Warriors.

A problem identified by the club’s management was that their forwards were too similar – hard-working but stocky and on the smallish side. These new players will give the team more aggression up the middle, which should then help the team’s playmakers.

The starting lineup for the Warriors’ forwards next year is likely to be FonuaBlake, Karl Lawton or Wayde Egan, Murdoch-Masila, Eliesa Katoa, Evans and Tohu Harris back at lock.

Meanwhile, injured captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been replaced by Peta Hiku with Patrick Herbert returning to the wing and Hayze Perham switching back to centre for the Warriors’ final match of the season against Manly on Sunday. Tohu Harris will captain the Warriors in his 50th match for the club.