Player Addin Fonua-Blake

[Stone]

I'm genuinely stoked about signing Addin Fonua-Blake.

So Imma create my 1st ever player thread & kick it off with a little something to wet the appetite ...




Obviously the man is a tank, but Addin Fonua-Blake's also got a pretty good motor, pace, balance, footwork & hands for a man his size.

Welcome to the Warriors whanau Addin ... can't wait to see you take the field for us brother.

 

[W.A warrior]

Like it’s been said. A few hard years with buggar all recruitment.
I put this Signing up with Price and Wiki.
But his age almost makes him surpass the two IMO.
Just what we have lacked for far too long. A true enforcer and a player that will do more than bend the line but knock the line for 6

 

[Off The Bench]

He's our mongrel now .
Looking forward to seeing it on the feild .

 

[Stone]

I was just doing a bit of research on our latest acquisition.

I had no idea that Addin Fonua-Blake hasn't even played 100 FG games yet. (97 so far)

From a certain statistical standpoint, he's technically not even an established 1st grader.

So he's only 24yo, he's played less than 100 FG games & he's already widely regarded as one of, if not the best prop in the game.

To put that into context, most props don't even hit their prime until they're around 26-28, yet Addin Fonua-Blake is already considered elite.

Man, if he's this good now what's he gonna be like in subsequent seasons as he gains more experience & physically matures etc ???

IMO he has all the ingredients to potentially become the outright premier prop in the game.

And he's ours for at least the next 3 years

Massive up's to POS & also CG for pulling this off (CG cops a tonne of shit for some of his antics & rightly so, but he's delivered some legit gold with this signing, so credit where credits due)

 

[AlexM]

Saw an article of monty betham frothing at the idea of him and Ben Murdoch-Masila running out together.
2021 forward pack might be going as the best in the comp.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Lets hope his knees survive a Warrior props preseason!

 

[wrighty]

Saw an article of monty betham frothing at the idea of him and Ben Murdoch-Masila running out together.
2021 forward pack might be going as the best in the comp.

Titans fans are saying the same thing maybe?

 

[Vancent]

I have to agree, credit to POS and to CG, POS has confirmed his reputation and is really delivering - above even our lofty expectations frankly.

CG - well not everyone’s cup of tea however not that long ago we had Shaun Johnson, SK and a whole lotta misery and now it’s all gone. An & Blair today or Chanel Harris-Tavita & Niko today - the latter outing for me all day long thanks.

We’re back boys and girls, we’re a Team with a Roster to get us excited, return to being competitive and after a year or so, who knows, we may even return to the GF again.

Enjoy it Whanau, if you’re still here after the last decade you deserve what’s coming (no matter which way that goes BTW!).

 

[roadrunner]

Guys like this will bring and hopefully make 2021 season a good one for all of us fans.I could forget about the past 7 seasons odd quickly if we could get into that top 6.Bring it on

 

[mt.wellington]

Fonua-Blake locked in for three years
Richard Becht & Photosport.nz
Tue 22 Sep 2020, 01:22 PM


Powerhouse Mate Ma’a Tonga and Manly front rower Addin Fonua-Blake has today been confirmed as the Vodafone Warriors’ fifth major signing for their 2021 NRL campaign after being secured on a three-year contract to the end of the 2023 season.

The imposing 189cm, 118kg prop’s acquisition follows the signing of his Tonga teammate Ben Murdoch-Masila from Warrington, Parramatta Eels prop Kane Evans and St George Illawarra centre Euan Aitken plus ex-Canberra back rower Jack Murchie, who was signed on an extended deal after initially joining the Vodafone Warriors only until the end of this year.

“Addin’s signing could be one of the most important the club’s history,” said Vodafone 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 Kane Evans and Ben 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 (Harris) and Jazz (Tevaga).

“Addin has a big motor, power, the skill set and the body shape we were looking for to take our pack to a new level.

“He’s very close to a lot of players in our squad having cemented relationships with them over a number of years at Test level and with the Junior Kiwis. At 24 years of age he has the best years in front of him as a premier front rower in the NRL.”

Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George is elated with the signing.

“It’s a huge coup for us and we’re thrilled to welcome Addin and his family to our club,” he said.

“Having him on board is the missing part of the puzzle as we have worked to establish a squad to compete with the best clubs in the competition.”

Fonua-Blake, who was granted a release from his contract with Manly after playing his 97th and last match for the club on September 11, won’t line up for the Sea Eagles in their season-ending encounter with the Vodafone Warriors this Sunday.

After being used predominantly as an interchange prop in his first two seasons he has been a first-choice starting front rower for Manly since 2018.
In 15 appearances this season he has averaged 167 metres and 26 tackles a game while across his career he averages 125 metres and 21 tackles a match.

He made his international debut with the Kiwis in 2017 but then switched to Tonga in 2018.

ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE
Date of Birth: November 6, 1995
Birthplace: Meadowbank, Sydney
Junior Club: Mascot Jets, Sydney
Position: Prop
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 118kg
Rep Honours: 1 Test for Kiwis (2017), 6 Tests for Tonga (2018-2019)
NRL Debut: Manly Warringah v Parramatta, Brookvale Oval, April 14, 2016 (Round 7)
NRL Career: 97 appearances for Manly (2016-2020):
NRL Points: 52 (13 tries)

Fonua-Blake locked in for three years

Huge signing for Vodafone Warriors as big front rower Addin Fonua-Blake signs on for three years.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[AlexM]

We have a huge Tongan flavour to the team next year. With the work Gus is doing and the Pacific high performance job things are looking cool.

 

[wellyboy]

I remember at the beginning of the year we need a marquee (big bopper) prop, then this happend. Still cant believe it.

 

[AlexM]

Familiarity rules as AFB becomes a Vodafone Warrior

He may be one of the new kids on the block at the Vodafone Warriors but Addin Fonua-Blake doesn't feel anything like a stranger.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[NZWarriorsFaithful]

Familiarity rules as AFB becomes a Vodafone Warrior

He may be one of the new kids on the block at the Vodafone Warriors but Addin Fonua-Blake doesn't feel anything like a stranger.

www.warriors.kiwi

At the start when he us like I came over for family reasons that translates to they offered me more money

 

[Billyspleen75]

Is there anyone with an NZ Herald subscription who could post today's article about Addin Fonua-Blake?

 

[Miket12]

Is there anyone with an NZ Herald subscription who could post today's article about Addin Fonua-Blake?

Rugby league: Addin Fonua-Blake on joining the Warriors for NRL's 2021 season​

Addin Fonua-Blake wants to become a better man, and he joined the Warriors to try and accomplish that.

As one of the leading props in the NRL, Addin Fonua-Blake was a hot commodity in the player market late last year after he asked for a release from the Manly Sea Eagles with two years remaining on his contract.

The 25-year-old Tongan international had his suitors, and surprised some with his decision to sign a three-year contract with the Auckland-based Warriors.

Despite confirming his signing with the Warriors late last year, Fonua-Blake, his wife, Ana, and their four children Aubrey (6), Malachi (5), Addin (2), Alilia (1) have yet to settle in Auckland, instead linking up with the club first at their off-season base in Kiama, New South Wales.

The group based there have since linked up with the Auckland-based group in Tamworth to continue their pre-season preparations.




Fonua-Blake explained location played a major factor in his decision to join the Warriors.

"It was a personal thing," Fonua-Blake said. "I had to become a better man, father, husband and everything, and a player also, and I thought getting out of Sydney would be the best thing for me.

"Being a dad has helped me along the way, responsibility-wise. I'm responsible not just for myself but for four other humans, and also for my wife. I reckon if I didn't have these kids, life would be a bit different but I'm grateful for the position I'm in."

Talented as he is, Fonua-Blake has made headlines for the wrong reasons during his rugby league career. In 2015, while he was captaining the St George Illawarra Dragons under-20s side, he pleaded guilty to assault charges after pushing and kicking his partner after a night of drinking. He was fined $1000, ordered to undergo counselling and given a one-year suspended sentence. He had his contract terminated by the Dragons.

After completing a comprehensive counselling and development programme, he was cleared for a return to the game by the NRL's integrity unit in 2016, and made his NRL debut with the Manly Sea Eagles that year.

More recently, Fonua-Blake's hot temper on the field got the better of him in a match last season and he received a suspension after a verbal tirade on a referee following a close loss.

On form, Fonua-Blake is one of the most damaging props in the NRL. In 2020, he was ranked third in post-contact metres per game, averaging about 75m a game. And while his emotion can sometimes get the better of him on the field, in signing with the Warriors, Fonua-Blake has the opportunity to turn over a new leaf.

"So far, I'm feeling good. I feel like I'm in a better space but it's only early days so I don't want to say too much. I'm just taking it one day at a time and so far, so good."

Rugby league: Addin Fonua-Blake on joining the Warriors for NRL's 2021 season - NZ Herald

 

[Wellington Warrior]

 

[Billy Teets James]

 

[W.A warrior]

View attachment 44039

Just happy no ligament damage.

 

[wizards rage]

"It's at least a 6-8 week injury from what we know, but there's a couple of bits of different damage in there," Brown says.

Our most important players out for an extended period. Along with our marque centre, along with our starting half.

We seems to have no luck with injuries.