NZ Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake has been stood down from Sunday’s Indigenous Round NRL match against the Dolphins on Sunday following a breach of club standards.
Head coach Andrew Webster said Fonua-Blake had removed himself from the dressing room after the 22-20 win over the Penrith Panthers on Sunday and was not present for the post-match team address or the team song.
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“This doesn’t meet our standards and Addin accepts full responsibility for his behaviour,” Webster said.
The 28-year-old made a season-low 62 metres, well below his season average of 177m, in 49 minutes of game-time against the Panthers. His 51 hit-up metres were well down on his previous season-low of 118m, with just 25m post-contact. He made 25 tackles, with just two missed tackles.
Fonua-Blake was named in the Warriors starting lineup on Tuesday to face the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Sunday (kick-off 6.05pm). Jazz Tevaga is likely to move from the interchange bench to the run-on side.
Fonua-Blake's time with the Warriors ends after this season, with the front-rower confirmed to be joining the Cronulla Sharks on a four-year deal from 2025.
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