Search

show me:

Fonua-Blake likely to miss return NRL bout

3 minute read

Addin Fonua-Blake will likely miss out on a shot to face his former side Manly after suffering a knee injury in the Warriors' loss to the Sydney Roosters.

ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE
ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Addin Fonua-Blake looks set to miss an NRL clash with his former club Manly as the Warriors recruit awaits scans on a knee injury.

Fonua-Blake left the field after just 13 minutes in the Warriors' 32-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, and didn't return due to the knee pain.

The Tonga prop's return bout with Manly would have been one of the most anticipated clashes of round five, given the way he makes every battle personal.

But that is now almost certain to be denied.

The Warriors have the minimum five-day turnaround into the match, and coach Nathan Brown has admitted he does not expect Fonua-Blake to recover.

"I don't know what Addin's problem is but when blokes of his toughness come off there's a problem," Brown said.

"Hopefully, it's only a minor one and he doesn't miss too much.

"I would be highly surprised if he was going to play. Just looking at the fact he came off five or 10 minutes in and wasn't able to go back on."

The Warriors have another issue with Jazz Tevaga nursing an ankle issue, but they do hold more confidence in that.

Forward Bunty Afoa is facing two weeks on the sideline after being cited for a grade one shoulder charge on Roosters half Sam Walker, but will miss just one week with an early guilty plea.

On the field, defence is a far bigger concern for the Warriors.

They sit at 2-2 after a tough start to the season including games against last year's top-eight sides Canberra, Newcastle and the Roosters to go with rising force Gold Coast.

But despite claiming a win over an injury-ravaged Raiders last week, the Warriors have now conceded 30 points in each of their past two games.

"It does (worry me), but we are playing top-four teams," Brown said.

"It is too many points. When we've come up against top-four sides it shows we have some work to do.

"We've played four pretty fair sides and we've won two and lost two.

"Even though the score suggested it was a reasonably close game (against the Roosters), they played a lot faster than us.

"So I still think we have a way to go to catch up to those sides."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au