NRL 2022: Waqa Blake relives ‘best’ finish of his career

People are still talking about Waqa Blake’s epic try against the Sea Eagles. but his focus has quickly shifted to stopping the NRL’s most potent edge.

Alex Johnston scored twice against Parramatta earlier in the year. Picture; Jason McCawley/Getty Images

He’s scored some slashing tries throughout his 150-game career, but even Waqa Blake admits his effort against the Sea Eagles last week tops any of his flashy finishes in first grade.

The 26-year-old has shifted from the left to the right in recent weeks and was on the receiving end of a Jason Saab onslaught in the first half at 4 Pines Park.

But the Fijian flyer flipped the script in the second half when he reeled in a cracking pass by Jake Arthur that just evaded Saab’s outstretched fingertips.

Blake still had plenty of work to do but defied Sir Isaac Newton’s work on gravity to somehow get the ball down even though most of his body was getting close to the Brookvale hill.

This could be the best finish of 2022.

“This was my best in terms of finishing it off,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“I think I’ve had tries that have been a bit further out that have probably been better, but that was the best one I’ve done in terms of finishing.

“It all happened so quickly.

“Jakey threw such a good pass and he had to make sure he got it over Jason Saab because he was coming through to try to intercept it.

“I didn’t have much time so it all happened so quickly. All I was thinking was getting the ball in.

“I got it down but I had to downplay it and not celebrate too much because I wasn’t too confident. I thought my foot was out, but that wasn’t it because they were checking the put down. I knew I got it down after one replay.

“I know a lot of wingers practise that sort of stuff, but I’ve been playing in the centres mostly so I haven’t really had to do it.”

Blake’s shift from left centre to right wing has coincided with the Eels picking up two wins on the trot against Penrith and Manly after a disappointing loss at home to a Broncos side that picked them apart on the edges.

Why wouldn’t he love it. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It may not be Blake’s preferred position, but the Eels have now won six in a row with him on the wing and it leaves coach Brad Arthur with a few headaches when Bailey Simonsson returns from injury.

“That was Brad’s decision after Bailey went down with a hamstring injury,” Blake said.

“That’s the good thing with me being able to play both positions. I prefer playing left centre, but if the coach and the team needs me to do a job, then I’m happy to do whatever.

“It’s a big difference being the last line of defence out wide. But honestly, the way we play in ‘D’, we have our system and we just back each other. Whatever the decision or situation is, we just back each other and stay in the system.”

Those defensive structures will face the ultimate test on Friday against the red-hot Rabbitohs who have been piling on the points since Latrell Mitchell returned from injury against the Eels in Round 16.

Mitchell has set up 11 tries and scored four in his six games back, and he could add to that tally if history is anything to go by.

Latrell Mitchell celebrates another try. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Bunnies have scored 184 points in five-straight wins against Parramatta, with their wingers feasting on some defensive frailties out wide.

Their wingers have combined for 14 tries in those five games, with try-scoring machine Alex Johnston crossing five times in his past two matches against Parramatta.

“I don’t think I’ve ever marked Alex Johnston before so this will be a good test for me,” Blake said.

“It’s on us, and we know what to do.

“You can’t take anything away from South Sydney because they have a very damaging left edge, especially with Latrell back now.

“We know that’s the edge they want to attack because they score so many tries down there, so we’ve got a big job on Friday, and I’m looking forward to it.”