NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster is confident the punishment handed down to front-row star Addin Fonua-Blake will bring out the best of him for the rest of the season.
The 2023 Dally M Prop of the Year was originally named to face the Dolphins over the weekend, but within 24 hours, found himself stood down for breaking team protocols, after leaving the changingroom and missing the team victory song against Penrith Panthers.
The incident sparked speculation that Fonua-Blake, who has already been granted an early release from this contract at the end of this season, wants a mid-season exit for his next gig with Cronulla Sharks.
Webster admits he delayed the announcement, until he had a chance to address the matter with the team.
"It obviously unfolded on gameday last week, that's the truth of it," he reflected. "I hadn't spoken to the group or got to see them, so we named him in the team on Tuesday afternoon.
"I never like things to be surprises or read it, so we spoke to the group first and had some accountability with it. Addin was amazing, he took it on board and agreed, and we moved on.
"We probably knew earlier in the week, but didn't want everyone to be reading it on Tuesday afternoon that Addin wasn't playing."
Webster insists there has been no suggestion of an early departure.
"He and his agent have not given that indication," he said. "Honestly, Adds has been clear he needs to be better and his agent has never once said he wants to leave, so we'll take them at their word on that.
"I'm not doing it to light a firecracker under him - it's not behaviour that we want. I need to make sure I keep him accountable.
"I hope it has a great reaction and his reaction so far has been good. Our standards weren't met and we can't tolerate it."
The Warriors now have a bye week, before travelling to Townsville to face North Queensland Cowboys, with Fonua-Blake expected to be among several stars returning to the line-up.
