Another twist in Jack Welsby saga as NRL move looms

The future of Addin Fonua-Blake has dominated discussions since he was over in the UK for Tonga’s series against England.

The forward requested a release from his contract at New Zealand Warriors on compassionate grounds hoping to secure a move back to Australia ideally with a Sydney based club.

The Warriors will let him leave should he find a new club and a number of suitors have emerged such as Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks especially after Matt Moylan’s move to Cronulla Sharks.

Now though St George Illawarra Dragons have stepped up their interest in Fonua-Blake which could be good news for St Helens fans. A shift in focus by the Dragons in their recruitment policy and using their money and cap space elsewhere likely signals the end of their attempts to sign Jack Welsby after entering talks with the St Helens star last week,

Welsby is set to agree a new deal with St Helens until the end of the 2028 Super League season.

As for Fonua-Blake, the Dragons are hoping they can secure his signature at least by Christmas.

“We are hoping for a decision before Christmas,” Head Coach Shane Flanagan told The Daily Telegraph.

“We have had a fair bit of dialogue the last couple of days so we are hoping this week.”

Flanagan also emphasised the magnitude that this signing would represent believing that it could secure Ben Hunt’s future at the club.

“He would be enormous. It could be the start of the turnaround,” Flanagan said.

“We need some elite representative-type players and in my opinion, he is one of the best front rowers in the game.

“That is the start of the process we want to take. To get some real quality players to the club and he would be the start of it.

“If Fonua-Blake signs, I am sure Ben won’t want to go anywhere. It is just (about knowing) where we are heading.

“His frustration has been about the club not winning. He wants to win.”

The club could be about to complete a major signing which would leave Welsby to remain at St Helens.