Only a few years ago, Addin Fonua-Blake was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
He was ordered to “grow up” by Canberra chief executive Don Furner after he encouraged Raiders fans to have a cry following a loss in 2019.
In 2020, he was fined $20,000 and suspended for two games for calling referee Grant Atkins a “f—ing retard”.
At the end of that same year, Fonua-Blake wanted to escape Sydney, and signed with the New Zealand Warriors. It was reported he needed to get away from the bad company he was keeping.
Fonua-Blake laughed about some of the wild stories at the time: “I heard some bikies were after me, which was news to me. I’m not [mates with bikies]. I heard I only wanted to leave for more money. All of it is untrue.”
Come Friday night, Fonua-Blake, now 28, will co-captain Tonga in a Test against Australia.
Addin Fonua-Blake has evolved from one-time wild-child to Tongan co-captain.Credit: NRL Images
It is hard to think of a rugby league player who has matured as much as Fonua-Blake in such a short space of time.
He said this week he was grateful he had been able to turn it all around before it was too late.
“I needed to grow up and get away from the noise,” Fonua-Blake said, when reminded about his decision to exit Sydney.
“I was getting caught up in the fast life. I had a big head. And in footy, I thought I was going a bit better than I was.
Addin Fonua-Blake in action against England in 2023.Credit: Bernard Platt/St Helens
“Everyone had a story to tell [about why I left] at the time. I knew the truth. It didn’t faze me, and I don’t really care what people say about me. I only focus on my life and stay in my own lane.
“I’ve had the last laugh. I do know I don’t help my cause when I’m covered in tatts and have a gold tooth.”
Fonua-Blake will join Cronulla next season, but thanked the Warriors and coach Andrew Webster for helping him realise the importance being a leader.
Within 10 minutes of meeting Fonua-Blake at Tamworth airport, at the start of 2021, Warriors chief executive Cameron George sensed an aura and leadership qualities.
‘I had a big head. And in footy, I thought I was going a bit better than I was.’
Addin Fonua-Blake
“Addin Fonua-Blake likes to look you in the eye, and he’s big on trust – if he trusts you, and you trust him, he’ll go to war for you,” George said.
“He really matured during his time at the club, and it’s something he should be proud of. He deserves whatever he gets in terms of leadership roles.
“He’s very street smart, and players want to play for him. They are the attributes Tonga have seen, and I know it means the world to him to not only play for Tonga, but to lead in the jumper.”
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf noticed what Fonua-Blake was doing with the Warriors last year, and appointed him captain for an England tour once Jason Taumalolo was unavailable.
“I know he has made plenty of errors, as we all have, but he’s made those more in clubland – we’ve always seen the best of him in Tongan camp,” Woolf said.
“There’s a marked difference in the man he is now compared to the young guy I remember kicking field-goals from the sideline at training in 2017.”
Fonua-Blake helped Tonga to their historic win over Australia at Eden Park at the end of 2019. Local fans were still blasting music from cars down the main street of Auckland 24 hours after the victory.
As for leading the nation, Fonua-Blake said: “When you first come on to the [Tongan] scene, you want to have as much fun as you can in these camps, and you don’t see the serious side until you get a bit older.
“Now you realise these games don’t come around often, and you need to dial in more. I’m grateful the coaches saw something in me to be co-captain. It’s a big honour for me and my family. Family is everything. And how many people get to captain their country.”
Fonua-Blake was crowned Dally M prop of the year for a second straight season. He was impossible to miss on the red carpet both nights when he wore a $3000 designer shirt. When asked if his shirt was a nod to his Tongan heritage, Fonua-Blake said: “Tongan? It’s Versace.”
The chance to be a leader in the Shire has him excited, and he could not help but be impressed by his dealings with coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Fonua-Blake inked a four-year deal worth around $1m a season with Cronulla before Christmas, but not before doing everything to help the Warriors. He described Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon as “a man’s man”, and someone who was “hard but fair”.
A bit like Fonua-Blake.
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