Pacific Islands unite: Powerhouse props combine for Blues Origin bid
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Pacific powerhouses Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake are out to combine the might of Samoa and Tonga as they look to lead NSW to victory in Game Two of the State of Origin series.
Long viewed as the two best props in the game, the pair will finally link up for the same time at the MCG on Wednesday night.
While he only made his Origin debut in Game One after changes to eligibility rules, Fonua-Blake is the Tongan co-captain and has played a key role in the nation's rise to international powerhouse.
Haas last year switched his allegiances to Samoa and is looking to lead the country to a historic World Cup title later this season.
Payne Haas Try
The pair went toe-to-toe in a heavyweight battle in front of a record crowd during last year's Pacific Championships but they will put international hostilities aside when they combine in a NSW forward pack featuring players from five different nations.
"We went against each other last year," Fonua-Blake told NRL.com. "He's a freaky player so any team he's in benefits off the back of it. I'm happy to now be playing alongside him.
"It's special coming into this camp and playing with not just Payne but Yeo, Victor [Radley] and players of all different backgrounds and heritages so we're looking forward to it."
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Haas missed the opening game of the series with a knee injury but has hit the ground running since returning to the field.
The prop played 80 minutes in successive weeks for the Broncos to prove he is ready to slot straight back into the Blues starting side. Haas' return will see Fonua-Blake shift back to the interchange for his second Origin appearance, the duo looking to form a powerful one-two punch.
Haas in space
Between them, Haas and Fonua-Blake have claimed Dally M Prop of the Year honours in the last five seasons, with the pair gaining selection together in the Team of the Year in 2025.
Fonua-Blake has long measured himself against the Broncos enforcer and while he hasn't received the same accolades, the stats highlight just how big an impact the Sharks prop has on the field.
The 30-year-old led the league last year in post-contact metres, accumulating 300 more than Haas, while he was also the leading prop for run metres in 2025.
Fonua-Blake has had a close-up view of Haas' preparation throughout the past week, with the pair sharing a room along with fellow prop Mitch Barnett in the Blues' Central Coast camp.
"Payne is one of the greatest players to ever play the game," Fonua-Blake said. "To play off the back of him is going to be unreal. It's great to see how he goes about his business during the week and learn a few things.
"I'm hoping he might be on the field when I get on but if he's not, I already know he's going to lay a strong platform and it's up to us to carry it on."
The Blues missed Haas' impact in the early stages of Game One, with Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett forced to do a mountain of defensive work amid an error-riddled opening 20 minutes.
The lack of possession limited the pair's ability to put the side on the front foot but they helped lay the foundation for a historic comeback when they returned in the second half.
The frantic final minutes
NSW have placed an emphasis on reversing a concerning trend of slow starts and Haas is confident Fonua-Blake will make a major impact when injected off the bench midway through the first half.
"He's been one of the best props in the game for the last few years," Haas said. "To play with someone like that is pretty special and something I won't take for granted.
"I'm grateful to be able to rub shoulders with Addin and can't wait to get out there."
A record crowd is set to pack into the MCG for Game Two of the State of Origin series. Tickets are selling fast, so click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
