As one of the highest-paid front-rowers in the NRL, NZ Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake continues to show he's worth every single cent.
Throughout 2023, he has been instrumental in a season that sees the Warriors third on the ladder and odds-on to return to the NRL playoffs for the first time since 2018.
As one of many players enjoying a career-best campaign under new coach Andrew Webster, Fonua-Blake, 27, has featured in all 21 games so far this season, with more certainly to come.
In Saturday's 30-22 victory over Wests Tigers, that hot streak continued. In 71 minutes, Fonua-Blake scored once, ran 27 times for a staggering 270 metres, broke the line once and made 27 tackles for a solid night's work.
On paper, only Payne Haas of Brisbane Broncos - expected to contend for the NRL's coveted Dally M Medal - can challenge Fonua-Blake this season, but for Webster, he stands head and shoulders above the competition.
"Unbelievable performance," said Webster. "I thought he was really good tonight.
"I put him back on to finish the game and you know you're always going to get the same from Ads.
"He's got to be the best front-rower in the competition at the moment. He was unbelievable."
The only possible worry for Fonua-Blake came at the end of the night at Hamilton, when he limped of the field early, after scoring his try.
With three games to play in the regular season, starting against Manly Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart next weekend, Webster insists there's nothing to fear.
"Ads came off with an ankle, but I think he's OK," he said. "He scored a good try under the posts and then felt it a little bit, but he's going to be OK.
"We're all good."
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