Addin Fonua-Blake may have committed to playing the 2024 season with NZ Warriors, but that hasn't stopped St George Illawarra Dragons' reported interest in the NRL's premier prop.
Earlier this month, 28-year-old Fonua-Blake rocked the Warriors with a request to be released from the remainder of his contract on compassionate grounds, in order to return to Sydney – where his family live.
Ultimately, though, the Warriors have been able to convince Fonua-Blake to remain at the Kiwi club for next year at least, although there are no assurances over the rest of his contract, which runs until the end of 2026.
But according to Fox Sports, coach Shane Flanagan remains hopeful in his attempts to bring Fonua-Blake to the Dragons in 2025.
The Dragons are understood to be readying an offer that would see Fonua-Blake, who is already the highest paid front rower in the game, take home more than $1 million per season.
What's more, Flanagan has reportedly enlisted St George Illawarra's Tongan contingent to convince Fonua-Blake to put pen to paper on a Dragons deal.
While touring England with Mate Ma'a Tonga last month, Dragons charges Hame Seli, Moses Suli and former Warriors forward Ben Murdoch-Masila were reportedly in Fonua-Blake's ear in an attempt to convince him to make the switch.
Fonua-Blake is close to irreplaceable for the Warriors, and was rewarded with the NRL's Dally M prop of the year award for his form in the club's 2023 run.
