Fonua-Blake blindsides Warriors with shock release demands

Addin Fonua-Blake blindsided the New Zealand Warriors early on Thursday with a request for an immediate release from the last three years of his playing deal so that he can join another club back in Australia.

The superstar prop, who many see as one of the best front rowers in the modern game, made the shock request because he wants to be in Sydney closer to his parents and the rest of his family.

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It’s a similar move to the one the 27-year-old pulled heading into the 2021 NRL season when he told the Manly Sea Eagles he wanted to return to New Zealand. At the time, the messaging from within Fonua-Blake’s camp was he was feeling unsettled in Sydney and was struggling with the lifestyle of the New South Wales capital.

He quickly signed a $1,000,000-a-year deal with the Warriors and moved over.

In the following three seasons, Fonua-Blake established himself as a premier forward in the competition beside Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and James Fisher-Harris.

The Sharks, Dragons, and Bulldogs are already lining up for what could be a feeding frenzy.

The Warriors, who The Sporting Base understands are inclined to turn down his request but are still ruminating on the stunning demand this afternoon, would be left shorthanded in their pack if he leaves.

Josh Curran was only just granted leave to join the Bulldogs after falling out of favour with coach Andrew Webster towards the tail-end of 2023. Though they play different positions, it would mean the Warriors need to plug two sizeable gaps instead of one.

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Fonua-Blake was expected to be a cornerstone of the New Zealand club for some years to come, with only he, Marata Niukore, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signed beyond the 2025 NRL season.