Fonua-Blake Embraces Pressure as He Prepares for Sharks Debut

Vegas teams prepare for NFL-sized fields | 00:43

Big expectations have followed Addin Fonua-Blake to the Sharks — and the marquee signing is welcoming the pressure with open arms.

To celebrate Fox League being the only place to watch all 4 games of Rugby League in Vegas live, Kayo Sports is giving away a trip of a lifetime to Sin City! Enter now at kayogreencard.com

Fonua-Blake’s new chapter will officially kick off tonight when he runs out for the Sharks in their trial match with the Raiders.

It will be the first time the Cronulla faithful will see in action what they hope is the final piece to their premiership puzzle.

The 29-year-old is aware of the hype around his arrival but isn’t fazed by what also comes with it.

“I don’t really mind the pressure,” Fonua-Blake told foxsports.com.au.

“It doesn’t change what I want to do or how I’m going to play.

“The expectation was always on me. I was expected to do things when I was at Manly, expected to do things when I was at the Warriors and I’m expected to do things while I’m here at the Sharks.

“It’s good that the pressure is on me. I’m not going to take a backwards step towards anything. I’m always 100 (per cent) whatever it is.

“I don’t really feel it too much, I just go out there and play footy.”

The Sharks have been competitive over the last decade, playing in seven of the last eight finals campaigns since their maiden premiership in 2016.

The squad has taken great shape under Craig Fitzgibbon too, but the club can’t seem to shake the constant question marks over whether they’re contenders or pretenders.

There’s a belief that Fonua-Blake can change that and his imposing presence can bring something similar to what Andrew Fifita did back in 2016.

When asked if he’s happy to be the leader of Cronulla’s pack and really take on the enforcer persona, Fonua-Blake said: “If that’s what they need me to be, then I will be.”

But he was quick to call on the troops around him too, adding: “I feel like the with the forward pack that we have, it’s a pretty experienced pack… So I reckon instead of it just being me, it’s probably all of the boys.”

A trimmed down Fonua-Blake is primed for what could be his best season to date. His blistering form earned him a spot in the 2024 Dally M Team of the Year and he’s set to be even more lethal now that he’s figured out his secret to success.

MORE NRL NEWS

RED HILL RETURN: Change that had Hunt ‘extremely nervous’ before first day back

HOOPS: Eels have drawn line in sand on contract clauses… but the danger isn’t over

‘KNEW STRAIGHT AWAY’: Lomax’s Eels switch and axing that rocked Dally M gun

‘COCKTAIL OF MEDICINE’: Storm star’s pain as debilitating injury forces retirement

RD 1 TEAMS: Selection shootout takes twist as Bronco suffers injury blow

“I think it just went down to the way I kept my head on my shoulders,” he said.

“I didn’t sort of read into (anything) too much, or didn’t really bother worrying about what people were saying about me.

“I feel like when I’m just worried about myself and doing what I know I can do it was sort of transferring onto the field.

“That’s what was my mindset going through that 2024 season and I’m going to try and keep the same thing this year.”

The Sharks will also reap the rewards of a “refreshed” Fonua-Blake, who is “happy” to be back home in Sydney.

“I’m feeling really good. I’ve got a new buzz coming back home and being family a bit more,” he said.

“I was sad to leave the Warriors but they were understanding of my situation.

“I got a bit of nervous jitters before my first day of training, obviously coming into a new squad and meeting a lot of new faces.

“I knew a fair bit of the boys but coming in, it was just like the first day of school. You just wanted to get around it and sort of make friends with everyone, but I’ve settled in now and the club has been nothing but welcoming to me and my family.”

Fonua-Blake has spoken previously about how when meeting with Fitzgibbon for the first time, it was the coach’s personal values that convinced him to sign.

Now that the star prop has spent a few months training under ‘Fitzty’, he’s also gained insight into how he operates out on the field.

“He’s a no frills type of guy, what you see is what you get,” Fonua-Blake said.

“He’s all about hard work and then having a bit of fun after but he definitely is someone that you feel like, ‘yeah, I want to play for this guy’.

“You can also see why he was such a good player. He’s very prepared and he does everything at 100 per cent.

“I’m really excited to see how he can help me go to the next level and how I can help him as well.”

Conscious of making a good impression, Fonua-Blake turned up to pre-season in tip-top condition. But that couldn’t prepare him for the flogging that was coming.

“You can tell that there’s a hunger in the team,” he said.

“They’re really fit. We’ve done some conditioning and just the way that they train is so intense. It’s probably why they’re always in the final.

“They have a level of intensity that they don’t go under and they hit it straight away.

“I was trying to chase them. So it’s good to see how other teams train and you sort of realise why some teams are where they are.

“It’s been tough, but it’s been rewarding at the same time.”