Hopes NZ Warriors may have turned a corner have suffered a major setback, with the club dropping powerhouse front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake from its line-up against the Dolphins this weekend.
The 2023 Dally M Prop of the Year has again been a standout performer this season, but will not take his place on the park this week, after breaching club standards following last week's upset win over three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers.
Fonua-Blake, 28, left the team dressing room after the 'Magic Round' game at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, and was absent for the team address or victory song.
"This doesn't meet our standards and Addin accepts full responsibility for his behaviour," said coach Andrew Webster.
Fonua-Blake logged only 49 minutes against the Panthers and was subbed off 10 minutes from the end, after Penrith scored a go-ahead try.
He has been granted an early release from his Warriors contract at the end of this season and will hook up with Cronulla Sharks for 2025.
Webster has not named a replacement for Fonua-Blake, but his interchange bench is currently loaded with forwards Tom Ale, Jazz Tevaga (who replaced him last weekend), Jacob Laban and Marata Niukore, with one of them likely to be promoted into the starting line-up.
Join Newshub at 6pm Sunday for live updates of the Warriors v Dolphins NRL clash
