Des Hasler has lauded the efforts of Addin Fonua-Blake ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster forward battle with a Sam Burgess-led South Sydney.
Without more than half of their first-choice forward pack, Fonua-Blake had arguably his best game of the year in Saturday night’s 28-16 shock win over Cronulla.
Needing to step up to fill the void of Martin Taupau, the Tongan international scored a try and produced a crucial quick play-the-ball before another to be Manly’s best.
He finished the game with 182 metres and six tackle busts, and helped swing momentum back in the favour of Manly early in the second half after Cronulla had reduced the margin to 18-10.
“Addin, it was probably one of his best games,” Hasler, who used the prop for 61 minutes, said.
“He laid a real platform for us and the boys got on the back of it.
“He created great momentum for us, he led the way there. And the other boys got on the back of it.
“We need to maintain that, it will go up a notch next week against Souths. That will be a good game on Friday.”
Fonua-Blake wasn’t alone on Saturday night.
Sean Keppie started and helped lay the platform in just his second NRL game, as the Sea Eagles averaged 53 metres each set in the first half and the Sharks just 35.
Their inexperienced bench also withstood the Sharks charge, doing enough to hold on either side of half time before the likes of Fonua-Blake could return to make his power known.
Manly will at least get Martin Taupau back from suspension for Friday night’s semi-final, while Burgess is also back for the Bunnies.
The two teams have met twice this year with one-point deciding both games, first in favour of Manly in round four and the Souths in round 17.
“Having Marty back will help with experience, but they get Burgess back as well,” Hasler said.
“It’s going to be another step for us. We’ll need to be a little bit more disciplined. it will be a tougher game next week.
“Were playing on the back of a bit of momentum which helps. And we’ll need to because they’ll be hurting a little bit after their loss.”