NRL 2025 pre-season: New Cronulla recruit Addin Fonua-Blake hints at change of role for Sharks forward pack

Addin Fonua-Blake is looking fitter, faster and stronger after a pre-season in Sharks colours, with the dynamic forward alluding to a change of his playing style under Craig Fitzgibbon in 2025.

One of the best props in the NRL just got fitter, faster and stronger.

Addin Fonua-Blake has the swagger that can take Cronulla to a whole new level, but after a pre-season under Craig Fitzgibbon he has a brand new edge.

Determined to make a good impression, the Tongan co-captain returned to the pre-season in shape after the Pacific Championships.

“I knew they were a fit team and it shows in the way that they play, coming up against them they’re constantly a threat,” he said on Monday.

“I knew I had to do some sort of training, I didn’t want to come (to the Sharks) and make a bad impression, so I did some running sessions, but when I came in they eased me back into it.

“But I feel refreshed now, having had that smaller pre-season prior to Christmas. I’ve done everything they’ve asked, and I can slowly see the changes in my body and I’m feeling good, man. I’m feeling fit.

Cronulla's Addin Fonua-Blake has been working hard under the watchful eye of coach Craig Fitzgibbon. Picture: Sharks Instagram

“I can’t wait. I’m ready to go.”

It bodes well for a change of playing style for one of the most dynamic forwards in the competition.

The 29-year-old averaged 60 minutes a game with the Warriors over the past two seasons but has the potential to playing less minutes with more impact under Fitzgibbon.

His rotation with Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tom Hazelton and Toby Rudolf makes for a powerful bench rotation that could be devastating through the middle.

But to execute any change of playing style, his fitness has gone through the roof.

Addin Fonua-Blake has hinted at a change to his minutes. Picture: Supplied

“I think we have a quality rotation of props here at the moment, it might be shorter minutes (for me) which might be a bit more of an output but you have to have fitness for that,” he said.

“I can always work on my fitness, always. I’m just keen to get in there and work hard.

The former Warriors big man knew what he was getting into when he signed with one of the fittest coaches in the NRL, Craig Fitzgibbon.

“We met a few times and I caught that vibe from him, that he just wants to go about his business and he likes hard work,” Fonua-Blake said.

“Coming here, training these past couple of months and training with the team, you can see why the team has changed and been going so well, even up to last year making it to the prelim.
“They train extremely hard, Fitzy has set a high standard.

“I’ve been training hard with him to get myself to suit his style of the game.

“I guess we’ll see in the trials, the way my game can respond to his coaching.

Addin Fonua-Blake wignites Cronulla’s premiership credentials. Picture: Grant Trouville

“Coming into this sort of a team I can add a different threat to the team and I’m hoping that it comes out straight away and I don’t have to build into it.”

His self confidence has been a huge asset to the Sharks playing group.

Representative winger Ronaldo Mulitalo believes he could be the key to take the Sharks to the top in 2025, after falling one game short of the decider last season.

“He’s added a layer of confidence to the group, and he’s got that swagger about him, he’s that guy,” he said.

“It’s good to have a bit of that. To be the best you’ve got to know you’re the best and to have a guy full of confidence like that, it’s powerful.

“It’s impacted these younger blokes as well. He’s just himself, he doesn’t try to be anyone else.

“He’s the Dally M prop of the year for the last couple of years and you add a player of that calibre into the group and he’s going to have an impact.”

Originally published as NRL 2025 pre-season: New Cronulla recruit Addin Fonua-Blake hints at change of role for Sharks forward pack