Addin Fonua-Blake and the Challenge of Becoming a True Alpha in Origin
Addin Fonua-Blake has been identified as a potential alpha for the NSW Blues in the upcoming State of Origin series, but former Blues coach Brad Fittler has emphasized that the Sharks and Tonga forward needs to be tougher if he wants to make a significant impact on the field. Fonua-Blake was one of six debutants named in Laurie Daley’s team, thanks to the updated eligibility rules this year.
The Origin arena has long been seen as a place where Fonua-Blake and fellow NSW debutant Victor Radley could thrive. However, Fittler believes there is one key area in Fonua-Blake’s game that needs improvement to help him succeed at this level.
Maroons coach Billy Slater has called upon “a lot of hitmen” for Game One, including Tom Flegler, Max Plath, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Looking at the NSW squad, Fittler thinks Victor Radley will fulfill the role of a hard-hitting enforcer. “Those (three Queenslanders) play that sort of role where they go after you,” he said on Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth. “Victor goes after you… so they’ll have to go after him.”
Andrew Johns added: “Someone has to go after Tino because he is the alpha. Whether that be Fonua-Blake, Jacob Saifiti or Mitch Barnett.”
While there is no doubt that all three players will land some bruising tackles, Fittler has placed pressure on Fonua-Blake to take it further. “Addin Fonua-Blake doesn’t really play that role,” he said. “He is your alpha… but he is more of a quick play of the ball and has great footwork. He needs to play that (enforcer) role. He needs to understand – I know that he has come out and said that he wants to play Origin but he needs to be tough.”
“That is not just in being able to belt blokes, but he needs to be able to get up from marker and work hard from there. That is one of the things that he doesn’t do that well. He is very talented but he needs to play really tough.”
Fittler’s comments echo those of fellow NSW legend Greg Alexander, who also advised Fittler during his time as Blues coach. “I didn’t think he was in good enough form,” Alexander said of Fonua-Blake’s selection on SEN radio on Monday. “The thing for me with Addin is he doesn’t seem to take it personally. He just rolls through his job, does his hit-ups, bit of footwork. But even that hasn’t been as sharp as it has been in previous seasons.”
“His ability to get in between defends, it doesn’t seem what it was last year or the year before. His last season at the Warriors was incredible. If Laurie can get him to take it personally… I think he’s got to change the attitude of Fonua-Blake. You need to take it personally when it comes to Origin, especially in the middle.”
Johns admitted that had he and Fittler been playing alongside Fonua-Blake, they would be “winding him up” to get the fierce reaction that could change games. As for Radley, the pair know he wouldn’t need to be taunted to spark a reaction.
“Victor is the opposite, you’d be trying to wind him back,” Johns said. “You’d just leave him (to be). But you’d say, ‘don’t miss the big hit. It will come to you eventually. Just kind of knock yourself out on that first tackle.’”
“You can imagine when he is prowling up and down the sidelines when he is about to go in. The crowd will be going ‘here comes the inflictor’… and the three brothers, they’ll be absolute lunatics, they’ll be screaming.”
The eighth Immortal continued: “If there is one player with those new rules that you go, who would I love to see play Origin? It is Victor. Kill or be killed. There is no science to the way Victor is playing.”
Origin I will be held in Sydney next Wednesday.
