NZ Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake is not seeking an earlier release from the Auckland club, despite being stood down for breaking team protocols.
The powerful front-rower was originally named to face the Dolphins on Sunday, but then dropped as punishment for missing the team address and victory song, after their upset win over three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers at last weekend's NRL 'Magic Round'.
"This doesn't meet our standards and Addin accepts full responsibility for his behaviour," said coach Andrew Webster.
The incident has sparked speculation that Fonua-Blake, who has been granted an early exit from his Warriors contract to join Cronulla Sharks next season, wants to leave sooner, but his management has assured Newshub this isn't the case.
"Following the game, Addin chose to leave the dressingroom, as he was greatly disappointed with his performance that day, and felt the need to step back and reflect on his own," management told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"His emotions were intense and he acknowledges that leaving the dressingroom was unprofessional. He fully accepts responsibility for his actions and is committed to ensuring it does not happen again.
"It is evident that he will not be playing this week and with the Warriors having a bye the following week, he will be ready and 100 percent prepared to face the Cowboys."
Fonua-Blake, 28, was named Dally M Prop of the Year in 2023 and has largely continued that form this season, despite the Warriors' patchy results. The win over Penrith broke a five-game winless streak that included four defeats.
He ranks second in the competition for post-contact metres, but was strangely subbed off 10 minutes from the end of last week's contest, with his team still trailling, and logged just 49 minutes, markedly down on previous weeks.
No replacement for Fonua-Blake has been named in the starting line-up against the Dolphins.
Join Newshub at 6pm Sunday for live updates of the Warriors v Dolphins NRL clash
