Jealous Sharks star says Origin rule change not answer

West Australian

5 days ago

Addin Fonua-Blake says State of Origin eligibility rules should not change, even if the Sydney-born Cronulla prop finds himself jealous watching others play for NSW.
Fonua-Blake remains at the centre of Origin's great eligibility debate, unable to play in the game's showpiece event despite being one of the NRL's best forwards.
A Mascot Jets junior who was born in Sydney's north-west, Fonua-Blake is ineligible after representing his New Zealand heritage and playing one Test off the bench for the Kiwis against Scotland in 2017.
The front-rower would otherwise likely be one of the first picked for NSW if available, in what would be a fearsome one-two punch alongside Payne Haas.
Origin rules state that players are able to represent NSW or Queensland if they lived in the state before age 13, and have not represented England or New Zealand.
The same rule means the Roosters' Victor Radley is ineligible to play Origin - he's Sydney-born but played Tests for England - although players born overseas who represent second-tier rugby league nations are able to, such as Canterbury's Samoan representative Stephen Crichton.
Fonua-Blake admitted on Tuesday he could have been better advised when he played for New Zealand as a youngster before now representing Tonga.
"I was pretty young. An opportunity presented itself (with New Zealand)," Fonua-Blake said.
"If I had the right mindset or people around me back then, it might have been a different story.
"I have no regrets for my career and the way it's unfolded ... I'm happy just representing the Sharks in Tonga.
"I'd be lying if I said I'm not jealous a bit. You sit back and you watch it and the build up for it and the excitement around it and you'd love to be a part of it."
Asked whether eligibility rules should change to allow players to feature in Origin regardless of previous representation, Fonua-Blake rejected the suggestion.
"I reckon they should just keep the rules the same," he said.
"A lot of people will get an opportunity that weren't born here.
"It's better off if they just leave the rules the same, with young kids born in Queensland and NSW representing Queensland and NSW.
"That ship sailed for me a long time ago. I made a decision and it's part of the decision. I can't play anymore."
Origin talk aside, Fonua-Blake is relishing a shot at his old club the Warriors and his replacement James Fisher-Harris on Saturday.
The Tongan star has conceded his honeymoon period at Cronulla is now over, saying he wants to be a leader of the pack.
"James has been playing out of his skin this year for them. He's a real leader for them and I see myself as a bit of a leader for this team," Fonua-Blake said.
"There is an alpha in every team and you've got to try and match their energy every week.
"I'd be lying if I say it's not in the back of my mind to try and get the best of (the other team's) best prop."