‘Tough debut’ steels Fonua-Blake for second Origin shot

Jasper Bruce |

A new role in Origin II for Addin Fonua-Blake hasn’t left a sour taste in the NSW enforcer’s mouth.
A new role in Origin II for Addin Fonua-Blake hasn’t left a sour taste in the NSW enforcer’s mouth.

NSW prop Addin Fonua-Blake admits he had a “tough” State of Origin debut, but now turns his attention to the challenge of a first bench appearance in nearly four years.

Changes to eligibility rules cleared the way for the one-time New Zealand international to make a hotly anticipated Origin debut in game one.

But the Cronulla enforcer struggled to live up to his lofty billing.

He and fellow starting prop Mitch Barnett managed only 33 metres between them in their first stints and Fonua-Blake finished the 22-20 win with only 89.

“It was a bit of a tough debut, I didn’t get to touch the ball much in the first half there. But that’s footy, you get those games,” Fonua-Blake said.

“(Origin) is a lot faster than any other game I’ve played, a lot more physical.

“I knew it was going to be hard, I didn’t know it was going to be that hard, but.”

Moving Fonua-Blake to the bench was one of only two unforced changes Laurie Daley made to his starting team for game two, along with dropping second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu.

(L-R) Addin Fonua-Blake and Sam Walker.
Addin Fonua-Blake made up for a lack of time with the ball in Sydney by making 21 tackles. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

But Fonua-Blake insisted he was “all for” Daley’s decision, which allows Brisbane star Payne Haas to start in the front row on return from his knee injury.

“Payne’s probably one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He’s definitely a generational talent,” Fonua-Blake said.

“I totally understand … I don’t feel any anger or anything, at all. It’s a team-first mentality.”

The only out-and-out front-rower on the interchange, Fonua-Blake is tasked with providing spark from the bench the way former NSW prop Spencer Leniu has in recent Origin series.

Addin Fonua-Blake.
Addin Fonua-Blake has prepared for the clash in Melbourne as if he was starting. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Fonua-Blake has not started from the bench at any level since July 2022, and was last regularly named there in 2017 – his second NRL season.

“I still prepare the same. Obviously coming off the bench, I’m just going to have to bring energy. I’m looking forward to it, another challenge,” he said.

“I’m just happy to be in the team, whatever the team needs.

“Once you have a little taste of Origin, you’re just stinging to get back in there.”

AAP