Broncos prop Adam Blair edging closer to leaving Brisbane for New Zealand

ADAM Blair has hit out at critics who say his NRL days are numbered as the Warriors move closer to signing the Broncos veteran.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — SEPTEMBER 05: Adam Blair is tackled during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session on September 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

THE Warriors are closing in on Broncos enforcer Adam Blair, who has hit back at critics claiming he is a spent force in the NRL.

Blair revealed he had put his future plans on hold in the hope of farewelling Brisbane with a fairytale premiership.

The 31-year-old prop is contracted at the Broncos next year, however he is expected to be released to take up a $1.8 million offer from New Zealand and play until at least 2020.

Blair has been weighing up long-term bids from the Warriors, Dragons and Knights, but St George-Illawarra’s acquisition of Bulldogs prop James Graham has likely closed that door.

Blair will captain the Broncos against Sydney Roosters in Friday’s blockbuster semi-final at Allianz Stadium in the absence of Darius Boyd (hamstring).

The Warriors have been keen on signing Blair for some time.

And the front-row bruiser said he had put his future on hold to ensure his focus was on leading Brisbane to its first premiership since 2006.

“I’ve put it aside at the moment. There is more important things to make sure my focus is on footy,” he said.

“I want to play my part for the team and do everything I can. That means playing my best footy from now on in and not leaving any stone unturned.

“A couple of weeks ago I thought I’d put it (negotiations) aside. It’s been good. I’ve enjoyed putting it on the backburner.

“What will come will come. It will get sorted, hopefully soon.”

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Blair bounced back from a poor performance against Parramatta to play a leading role in Brisbane’s derby win against the Cowboys last week.

The Townsville performance was one of his best of the season, Blair snapping a two-year try-scoring drought and living up to his enforcer reputation.

There have been times this season where Blair’s longevity could have been questioned, but the former Storm and Tigers forward said he had no plans on exiting the game in the short term.

“I honestly think I can run around for another four years,” he said.

“I look after myself, I am pretty durable, I do all the right things on and off the field and I am playing good footy.

Blair will captain the Broncos against the Roosters this weekend.

“As you get older you get smarter with the things you do and how you train and play. I’m confident I can get another four years out of my body.

“It’s hard for me because whatever I do, it’s my last contract. When you look at things, you can see the end, that’s the hardest thing because I still feel like I am playing some quality football.

“I’m at the age where I have to do the right thing by myself and my family and the Broncos.

“If I was single I would have made a decision by now because you don’t have to worry about anyone else, but I have a lot of people to think about.”

Blair and Sam Thaiday will start together in the front row against the Roosters, bringing together the combination that led Brisbane to the 2015 grand final.