'Selfless': why NRL star played hours after funeral
Now the Sharks' prized recruit is preparing to honour his family name again in his 200th NRL game.
The Sharks' coaching staff gave Fonua-Blake the option to miss last Friday's home game against the Dolphins after the death of his grandfather Talakai earlier in the week.
Talakai was instrumental in Fonua-Blake's upbringing and had regularly cheered his grandson on from the stands, until travelling to games became too difficult in his later years.
Last Friday, Fonua-Blake was determined to face the Dolphins not just to boost the Sharks, who had lost four of their previous five games, but to pay tribute to his grandfather.
"Going through the week that I had last week, I just thought he'd probably want me to play. He was probably one of my biggest fans," Fonua-Blake said.
"He contributed a lot in my upbringing. I thought it was only right if I went out there and did my last name proud and carried his name, and just sort of represented him.
"I'm extremely proud that I get to carry his last name."
Fonua-Blake made an impression on his teammates with his decision to play, and ultimately help the side to a vital win over fellow top-eight hopefuls the Dolphins.
"(He's) just a selfless person," said Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo.
"He put the team first the whole week and didn't miss a beat.
"Just the confidence that he gave the group being in that locker room was massive."
The prop will have another chance to do Talakai proud when he reaches the coveted 200-game milestone against the Sydney Roosters this week.
Since his 2016 rookie season with Manly, Fonua-Blake has developed into one of the NRL's premier front-rowers, proving particularly instrumental on the Warriors' charge to a preliminary final berth in 2023.
He has had a mixed first season at hot-and-cold Cronulla, but will be crucial to the Sharks' hopes of a top-eight finish as the alpha male of their forward pack.
"I'm extremely grateful that I get this opportunity (to play a 200th game)," Fonua-Blake said.
"Not many people do. I'll just be looking forward to getting out there and representing my last name and the club well."
The match is significant for the Sharks, who are hoping for consecutive wins over sides in the mix for finals.
"It's no secret we've had an up-and-down year this year, but I feel like the boys have had a bit of a wake-up call," Fonua-Blake said.
"It would be massive for our confidence to get this job done."
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