Addin Fonua-Blake has taken plenty of confidence from his strong first half performance against the Canberra Raiders.
The hard running prop punched out a quality 40 minutes after the side lost interchange forward Kelepi Tanginoa with a season ending knee injury.
“I felt pretty happy that the coaching staff trusted me to play that first 40, ‘’ Fonua-Blake said.
“It just came as a result of the injuries. I was pretty stoked to get it out and it gives me more confidence going forward.
“At some stages there in the first half, I felt a bit tired but it is all a mental thing.
“I kept telling myself that I could do it, so to do it in the end was pretty good.”
Fonua-Blake’s efforts were not lost on Coach Trent Barrett who praised the Tongan and Kiwi international post match for his tireless efforts. All up, the 22-year-old played 66 minutes, made 18 runs for 189 metres, and completed 27 tackles.
His work-rate was not lost on his team-mates either.
“Addin did very well to get those (first) 40 minutes out for such a big lad and with how fast the game is now. It was pretty impressive,’’ said forward Shaun Lane.
“The amount of work that he has put in over the last few years has been really impressive.
“He is just getting better and better with each game, and the results are really starting to show now.
“To be putting out the minutes that he is and all the work he does, he doesn’t even look tired now when he is out there.”
Centre Brian Kelly said Fonua-Blake has taken his game to another level alongside fellow Kiwi international Martin Taupau.
“This year Addin has shown a lot of energy. On the weekend, he was carrying two to three players a good 20 metres,’’ Kelly said.
“It is a good way to start our sets and at the back end, it really helps us out.
“Addin and Marty have got their little plays they do and have got a few little weapons under their belt. They are working together really well, so it is a plus for us.”
