New Zealand Warriors forward requests immediate release

Arguably one of the best props in the NRL, Addin Fonua-Blake, has reportedly requested an immediate release from the New Zealand Warriors.

The 27-year-old was the highest-paid prop in the game last season and is currently on a contract worth more than $1 million a season with three seasons remaining on his current deal.

News Corp has reported that Fonua-Blake has requested an immediate release from the New Zealand Warriors on compassionate grounds.

The publication has reported that the forward’s management plans to approach the Warriors on Thursday as he requests to move back to Sydney to be closer to his parents.

While no club has yet to show interest in one of the best front-rowers in the game, the news is likely to cause a massive scramble with several clubs looking for a star forward. The Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Illawarra Dragons, and Wests Tigers will likely be the favourites to recruit him.

In what would be a massive blow for the Warriors’ premiership hopes in 2024, Fonua-Blake was granted a release from his deal at Manly Sea Eagles at the end of 2020 to join the New Zealand club.

The New Zealand and Tongan international has played 12 international Tests and accumulated 159 first-grade games since his debut in 2016 – 97 for the Sea Eagles and 62 for the Warriors.

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New South Wales-born forward Fonua-Blake joined St George ahead of the 2021 campaign from Manly Sea Eagles, and in the three seasons since he has made 57 appearances. He is believed to want to move back over to Australia ahead of 2024 to be closer to his parents, who live in Sydney.

A statement released by the Auckland-based Warriors via their club website earlier today reads: “The One New Zealand Warriors have confirmed reports prop Addin Fonua-Blake has requested an immediate release from his contract on compassionate grounds.

“Chief executive Cameron George said the club is considering the request. He said there would be no further comment about the matter.”

On the back of that request, Australian outlet The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that St George will go in pursuit of Fonua-Blake, providing the Warriors accept his request for an immediate release.

The 27-year-old – who fuelled England’s fire this autumn with his comments after the first test match in St Helens – is believed to be on a contract with somewhere in the region of $1 million a year, a figure which the Dragons have room in their salary cap to stump up.

St George have a new head coach from 2024 in Sydney native Shane Flanagan, and on the possibility of Fonua-Blake being recruited, he said: “I’m more than interested. He has some history here with the club, he played under Dean Young as a junior.

“I’m always looking for quality players, and he’s a very good one.”

Fellow NRL outfit Canterbury Bulldogs are also reportedly in the market for a front-rower like Fonua-Blake, though are expected to stay out of the race for his signature having already filled a large chunk of their salary cap for 2024.