Cronulla enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake admits he is “jealous” of players chosen for State of Origin but has unselfishly declared the rules that have rendered him ineligible for interstate rugby league should remain as they are.
Fonua-Blake was born in Sydney and played his junior football with Mascot Jets but effectively ruled himself out of Origin contention in 2017, when he accepted a position in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
He made a lone Test appearance for the Kiwis at that tournament, coming off the bench in a 74-6 demolition of Scotland, and has since switched his allegiance to Tonga, whom he captained at the Pacific Championships last year.
If not for his brief association with New Zealand – a tier-one nation – Fonua-Blake would in all likelihood have represented the NSW Blues and quite possibly established himself as an Origin regular.
There has been growing debate this season surrounding the eligibility rules, which impact a handful of players – including Victor Radley, Kalyn Ponga, AJ Brimson and Fonua-Blake – all of whom are dual-qualified at international level.
But while many believe the current Origin rules are outdated, Fonua-Blake has no problem with them and accepts he is unlikely to ever pull on a NSW jersey.
Addin Fonua-Blake on the charge for Cronulla.Credit: Getty Images
“If it happens, it happens,” he said.
“I reckon they should just keep the rules the same.
“[Otherwise] a lot of people will get an opportunity that weren’t born here.
“It’s better off they just leave the rules the same. The young kids that were born in Queensland and NSW represent Queensland and NSW.”
The bulldozing front-rower would nonetheless relish the chance to test himself in the Origin cauldron.
“I’ve been asked this question a few times,” he said. “That ship sailed from me a long time ago. I made a decision and part of the decision is I can’t play [Origin] any more.
“I’d be lying if I said I’m not jealous a bit.
“Those games, you sit back and you watch it, the build-up for it and the excitement around it, you’d love to be a part of that.
“But I’m just happy representing Tonga and Cronulla Sharks.”
Fonua-Blake celebrates a try for CronullaCredit: Getty Images
The 29-year-old said he had no regrets about his decision, although with the benefit of hindsight he might not have jumped at the offer to represent New Zealand eight years ago.
“I was pretty young,” he said. “An opportunity presented itself.
“Probably if I had the right mindset or people around me back then, it might have been a different story.
“But I have no regrets for my career and the way it’s unfolded. I’m happy just representing the Sharks and Tonga now.”
‘I’d be lying if I said I’m not jealous a bit.’
Addin Fonua-Blake on Origin
Radley, who is ineligible for NSW after opting in 2022 to play internationally for England, expressed similar sentiments to Fonua-Blake when he declared two months ago: “I probably wouldn’t get picked for Origin anyway, even if they change it.
“So it hasn’t really crossed my mind too much ... if you ask my mum, she’ll say it’s just not fair. But, hey, that’s the rules as they are, and I made that decision.”
Fonua-Blake’s immediate focus is his blockbuster clash with powerhouse James Fisher-Harris – the man who replaced him at the Warriors at the end of last season – at Shark Park on Saturday.
While both will be intent on dominating their opposite number, there is also an inherent level of mutual respect.
“These are the challenges you come up against each week,” Fonua-Blake said.
“They’ve got an alpha in every team, and you’ve got to try and match their energy every week.
“James has been playing out of his skin this year for them. He’s a real leader for them, and I see myself as a bit of a leader for this team.
“Like I’ve said before, this team’s got a lot of leaders in it … I feel like we’re all going to go after their pack, and vice versa.
“I know that they’re going to come out guns blazing too, so I think this weekend’s going to be [fighting] fire with fire.”
While Fisher-Harris will be a handful, Fonua-Blake won’t have to contend with NSW Origin prop Mitchell Barnett, who requires a season-ending knee reconstruction after tearing his ACL in Sunday’s win against South Sydney.
Barnett will be replaced up front by Jackson Ford.
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