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Sport Nation
FWC on Sport Nation guideFonua-Blake embraces Origin heat after long-awaited debut
Sport Nation • June 16th, 2026 8:41 am
Addin Fonua-Blake | Photo: Photosport
Addin Fonua-Blake has had to wait for his shot at State of Origin, but the Kiwi powerhouse wasted no time finding out exactly what the hype is about.
Now eligible after the recent rule change that lifted restrictions on dual-international players, the New South Wales forward made his long awaited Origin debut in game one, throwing himself straight into one of rugby league’s toughest arenas.
He logged 42 minutes, ran for 89 metres and made 21 tackles in a performance that underlined just how demanding the step up can be.
“Obviously it was pretty tough that first game. Obviously didn’t want to start the way we did,” he told Sport Nation’s Millsy and Guy.
“But I’ve been really enjoying it ever since coming into the team, really enjoying my time and getting to know all the boys here and getting to witness how a few of the best players in the world go about their business.”
Fonua-Blake said the opening exchanges were as intense as anything he has experienced.
“That first 20 minutes was probably one of the toughest 20 minutes I’ve ever played in. Just because we had no ball and a lot of errors.”
Spending long stretches on defence against Queensland took its toll.
“It’s pretty taxing, especially coming up against some of the players that Queensland have. You have to really dig to come out of those holes.”
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Once the Blues found their footing, things began to settle.
“Once we started getting even possession, it got a bit easier.”
“I’m just happy that we were able to get through it and we were lucky enough to come away with the win.”
Fonua-Blake said Origin is built on moments, with the game often turning on individual brilliance rather than structure.
“I feel like State of Origin is a game of big moments. You’ve got all the best players playing in one game and more often than not these players stand up in those moments.”
“There’s no order or no shape, but then someone goes up for a kick and comes down and wins the game off the back of a big moment.”
Lining up alongside Nathan Cleary has also given him a close look at one of the game’s best.
“You can obviously see why he’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best, because the things he does when no one’s watching.”
“The way he prepares and goes about his business, he’s living and breathing professionalism pretty much every day.”
He has also quickly built a strong connection with coach Laurie Daley.
“I didn’t have too much to do with him before coming into these camps, but since meeting him I’ve really got a lot of time for him.”
“He’s very passionate about the state and the job that he’s got. He’s one of those guys, you have a conversation with him and you’d run through a brick wall for him.”
Preparation for game two in Melbourne has been about getting the balance right between work and recovery.
“Today we had a big session, we’re just relaxing now, a few boys are just getting their body right.”
“Tomorrow will be the final touches, going through our game plan and making sure we’ve got complete clarity throughout the team, then just relax and not play the game too early.”
“Come game day, before we get on the bus, flip the switch and be ready to do whatever the state needs us to do to get that win.”
The pressure is there, but it does not linger once kickoff arrives.
“You can feel it a little bit, but once the whistle goes that sort of all dies down.”
“You just worry about what you do and what you’re doing for the team. You’ve got 13 blokes out there all wanting to achieve the same goal and the pressure goes away.”
As for game two, the focus is simple after reviewing that shaky start.
“No one wants to make errors, but we made all of ours in the first 10 or 15 minutes and Queensland took advantage.”
“After half time we spoke about just getting back to our game plan and defending well, and we put ourselves in a position to win that game.”
Coming off the bench in game two, Fonua-Blake knows his role.
“My role is just to bring energy when I get out there, try and lift the team as much as I can.”
“The starters will do a great job and it’s about building off the back of what they lay and taking that intensity to another level.”
Listen to the full interview:
