Four One New Zealand Warriors players have snared spots in the NRL’s round 26 VB Hard Earned Team of the Week.
Unsurprisingly powerhouse front rower Addin Fonua-Blake secured selection yet again with yet another exceptional all-round performance.
The Warriors provided half the pack with Fonua-Blake’s teammates hooker Wayde Egan and second rower Josh Curran also included along with whole-hearted fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
In his 71 minutes on the field, Fonua-Blake scored his eight try of the season, an extraordinary feat for a front rower, as well as making a game-high 223 metres from 22 runs (including a match-best 92 post-contact metres). He also had a line break, three tackle breaks two off loads and 27 tackles.
Rd 26 Match Moments: AFB's eight try clinches it
Curran, who started in the second row before replacing the injured Rocco Berry, played the full 80 minutes, making 112 metres from 13 runs (46 post-contact metres) with four tackle breaks, an off load and 35 tackles with one miss.
The consummate Egan also played 80 minutes making 67 metres from eight dummy half runs and 41 tackles.
Nicoll-Klokstad was the epitome of total involvement with a try, 217 metres from a game-high 24 runs (68 post-contact metres), a line break, a line break assist, nine tackle breaks, a one-on-one steal, an off load, 12 passes, five tackles without a miss, three bomb defusals and no errors.
Rd 26 Match Moments: SJ with try assist for CNK
Regular selection Tohu Harris was a surprise omission despite playing 80 minutes and carrying the ball 20 times for 200 metres (80 post-contact metres) in a display which also included three tackle breaks, an off load, 22 passes and a team-best 42 tackles.
