'Fight fire with fire': Sparks set to fly in heavyweight battle
- Author
- Timestamp
Cronulla legend Paul Gallen is predicting fireworks when enforcers Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo go face to face in Saturday's elimination final between the Sharks and North Queensland.
There will be no love lost on Saturday night when the Tongan teammates do battle in a heavyweight contest between two of the game's most dominant forwards at Allianz Stadium.
Gallen engaged in his fair share of powerhouse battles throughout his career and is tipping Fonua-Blake to come out on top as the Sharks chase their first title since 2016.
Fonua-Blake ready for lift in intensity
"It will be a great battle," Gallen told NRL.com. "Addin Fonua-Blake is one of the premier props in the game. Jason Taumalolo has been at the top of the game for a long time and has been rejuvenated this year.
"It's going to be a lot of fun watching those two battle and all the big games are won in the middle of the field. I'm sure Addin will step up and take Jason head on because whoever wins the battle in the middle of the field will go a long way to winning the match."
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Gallen will be front and centre at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night and he is eager to see Sharks fans turn the venue black, white and blue and get behind their team.
Additional trains will run between Cronulla and Central before and after the match, with free public transport for all ticket holders. Shuttle buses will also run from Ocean Protect Stadium to Allianz Stadium and deliver fans back to the Shire post-game.
Sharks fans have been encouraged to meet at Watson's in the Entertainment Quarter from 4pm on Saturday before a march to the ground at 7pm.
"You play rugby league to be in these big games and the fans should be proud of that," Gallen said. "We're here once again and the fans should get out here and support them.
"It's not that far so hopefully we can get as many Sharks fans here as we can. I played a final here against the Cowboys and there were 35,000 fans here so I'd love to get 30,000 fans here to support the boys and watch them beat the Cowboys."
Taumalolo and Fonua-Blake have been Tongan teammates since 2018 and have played a key role in the Pacific nation's rise to become an international powerhouse.
They are set to reunite next month for the Rugby League World Cup but national allegiances will be put aside for 80 minutes on Saturday night.
Fonua-Blake is the reigning Dally M Prop of the Year and was recruited by Cronulla to deliver finals success.
Taumalolo is a Dally M winner who has enjoyed a career resurgence in 2026, the 33-year-old turning back the clock to produce his best season in years.
Taumalolo to join 300 Club
Given what's on the line, Fonua-Blake declared he will not take a backwards step on Saturday night.
"He's so important to them and gives them go forward so we're going to have our hands full in the middle," Fonua-Blake said. "We're going to have to fight fire with fire.
"You can't plan what you can do against players like that because he's such a good player but I can't wait. These are the games you want to be in during your career, big finals games. We're here now and we've got to take the chance with both hands."
After 27 epic rounds, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. The Sharks need your support as they chase premiership glory. Click here to secure your seats and get behind your team.
