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Waqa Blake

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Waqa Blake
Personal information
Born (1994-10-26) 26 October 1994 (age 30)
Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–19 Penrith Panthers 88 34 0 0 136
2019–23 Parramatta Eels 77 28 0 0 112
2024 St Helens 24 11 0 0 44
2025– Bradford Bulls 0 0 0 0 0
Total 189 73 0 0 292
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015 City Origin 1 0 0 0 0
2017–23 Fiji 5 3 0 0 12
2019– Fiji 9s 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 16 November 2024

Waqa Blake (born 26 October 1994) is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and wing for Bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship and Fiji at international level.

He previously played for the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and New South Wales City.

Background

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Blake was born in Lautoka, Fiji, Blake moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as a 9-year-old.[2]

He played his junior football for the Brighton Seagulls. Blake then moved to Perth and played for Joondalup Giants in the Perth Rugby League competition before making the Perth Pirates S. G. Ball Cup representative team.[3] At the end of 2012, after being spotted playing for the Pirates, Blake was signed by the Penrith Panthers.[4]

Playing career

[edit]

2013

[edit]

Blake plays for a NYC team.[5] Blake played in the Penrith club's 2013 NYC Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors at centre, scoring a try in Penrith's 42-30 win.[6]

Blake playing for the Panthers

2014

[edit]

In May 2014, Blake was named on the interchange bench for the Fiji international team for the Pacific Rugby League International test against Samoa but was later replaced by Petero Civoniceva.[7][8]

In the second half of the 2014 season, Blake moved on to Penrith's New South Wales Cup team, later earning selection in the New South Wales Residents team at centre in the 24-16 loss against Queensland Residents at Suncorp Stadium.[9][10]

On 28 September 2014, Blake played at centre in Penrith's 2014 New South Wales Cup Grand Final against the Newcastle Knights and scored a try in the club's 48-12 win.[11][12] On 5 October 2014, Blake scored a try in the Penrith club's 32-28 defeat by the Northern Pride in the 2014 NRL State Championship.[13]

2015

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On 26 February 2015, Blake extended his contract with Penrith from the end of 2016 to the end of 2017.[14] In Round 5 of the 2015 NRL season, Blake made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers against the North Queensland Cowboys at centre in Penrith's 30-10 loss at Penrith Stadium.[15] In Blake's next match in Round 6 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Blake scored his first NRL career try in the Penrith club's 22-12 win at Penrith Stadium.[16] On 3 May 2015, Blake played for New South Wales City against New South Wales Country, playing at centre in City's 34-22 loss.[3][17][18] He finished off his debut year in the NRL having played in 18 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Panthers.[19]

2016

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In February 2016, Blake was named in Penrith's 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[20] After New Zealand international representatives and usual backline starters Peta Hiku and Dean Whare suffered season ending knee injuries, Blake made the right centre position of his own, having some blockbusting performances in the late rounds of the season during the Panthers charge into the finals, a great transformation after he explained that he returned to pre-season training 12 kilograms overweight and coach Anthony Griffin mentioning to him that "if you want to play in the outside backs, you need to trim down, otherwise you'll be playing in the forwards".[21] Blake enjoyed his 2016 NRL season with him playing with playing in 21 matches and scoring 8 tries for the Penrith club. On 14 November 2016, Blake extended his contract with Penrith to the end of the 2019 NRL season.[22]

2017

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In February 2017, Blake was named in Penrith's runners-up 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.[23] After the Penrith club's Round 5 clash against the Melbourne Storm, where they lost 28-6 at AAMI Park, Blake alongside Panthers captain Matt Moylan and Peta Hiku were dropped to Penrith's NSW Cup team for 1 match after they breached the booze curfew by being out in the Melbourne nightlife into the early hours of the next morning.[24] On 6 May 2017, Blake made his international debut for Fiji against Tonga, playing at centre in the 26-24 loss at Campbelltown Stadium.[25][26] In Round 26 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Blake suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during the Panthers 28-12 loss at Brookvale Oval, unfortunately resulting him of missing the finals series and representing Fiji for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[27] Blake finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Panthers.

2018

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In Round 1 against cross-city rivals, the Parramatta Eels, Blake started the 2018 season with a bang, scoring two tries for Penrith as they came back from a 14-0 deficit to achieve a 24-14 victory at Penrith Stadium.[28] As Blake showed great form in the early rounds, unfortunately in Round 5 against the Parramatta Eels, who the Penrith clubplayed against a month earlier, Blake suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury in his right ankle in late in second-half as the Panthers walked away with a close 12-6 win at ANZ Stadium.[29] Blake was set to miss four rounds but unfortunately was ruled out for longer. Blake finally made his return for Penrith in Round 17 against the New Zealand Warriors, scoring a try in the 36-4 upset win at Penrith Stadium.[30] Blake finished the 2018 NRL season with him being Penrith's highest tryscorer with 12 tries in 15 matches.

2019

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Blake started the 2019 NRL season as one of Penrith's first choice centres. Blake would play the first 10 games of the season for Penrith as the club struggled on the field winning only 2 of their first 9 matches which left the side last on the table. Blake's final game for Penrith was in Round 11 against Parramatta at the new Western Sydney Stadium which Penrith won 16-10. The following week, it was revealed that Blake would be ruled out for 10 weeks with a knee injury. On 26 June, it was announced that Blake was released by Penrith and had signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Parramatta.[31][32][33]

Blake made his debut for Parramatta against the New Zealand Warriors which ended in a 24–22 victory at the new Western Sydney Stadium.[34]

In Round 22 against the Gold Coast, Blake scored his first and second tries for Parramatta in a 36–12 victory at Cbus Super Stadium.[35]

2020

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In round 5 of the 2020 NRL season, Blake scored a try and had one try assist as Parramatta defeated his former club Penrith 16-10. The result saw Parramatta win their first five games of the year, the club's best start to a season since 1986.[36]

Blake played a total of 22 games for Parramatta in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished third but were eliminated in straight sets from the finals. Blake came under intense criticism in the second half of the season after numerous poor defensive displays.[37][38]

2021

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In round 1 of the 2021 NRL season, Blake was injured in Parramatta's 24-16 victory over Brisbane and ruled out for an indefinite period.[39]

Blake returned to the Parramatta starting side for their round 10 victory over the New Zealand Warriors. The following week, Blake was badly exposed in defence during Parramatta's 28-6 loss against Manly-Warringah. Blake missed six tackles throughout the game, gave away four penalties and was sin binned in the 72nd minute.[40]

Blake made a total of 17 appearances for Parramatta in the 2021 NRL season including the club's two finals matches against Newcastle and Penrith.[41][42]

2022

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In round 4 of the 2022 NRL season, Blake scored two tries for Parramatta in a 48–14 victory over St. George.[43] In round 5 of the 2022 NRL season, Blake was taken from the field during the club's 26-20 victory over the Gold Coast. It was later announced that Blake would be ruled out from playing indefinitely with a knee injury.[44] In round 18, Blake scored two tries for Parramatta in a 28–18 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.[45] In round 23, Blake scored two tries for Parramatta in a 42–6 victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.[46] Blake played a total of 22 games for Parramatta throughout the year, including all three of the club's finals matches and the 2022 NRL Grand Final loss to Penrith.[47]

2023

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After a number of indifferent performances to start the year, Blake was demoted to the NSW Cup for the club's round 6 match against the Wests Tigers. Blake was replaced in the centre position by Sean Russell.[48] Blake spent the next three months in reserve grade before being recalled to the first grade team due to the suspension of Maika Sivo. Blake made his long awaited return in the club's 24-16 loss against North Queensland.[49] Following a few indifferent performances, Blake was left out of the Parramatta side for their round 23 match against St. George Illawarra as he was replaced by Isaac Lumelume.[50]

On 31 October, Blake was released by Parramatta after not being offered a new contract.[51]

2024

[edit]

On 11 January 2024, it was reported that Blake had signed for St Helens R.F.C. in the Super League on a one-year deal.[52] In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Blake made his club debut for St Helens in their 40-4 victory over the London Broncos.[53] Following an indifferent start to his time at St Helens, Blake was demoted to the clubs reserves team ahead of their Good Friday match against Wigan.[54] In round 11, Blake scored a hat-trick in St Helens 60-6 victory over Castleford.[55] In round 14, Blake scored two tries for St Helens in their 52-6 victory over London at the Twickenham Stoop.[56] On 2 October, Blake was released by St Helens after not being offered a new contract.[57] On 15 November, it was announced that Blake had signed with the Bradford Bulls.[58]

On 15 Nov 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship on a 2-year deal.[59]

Statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Tries Pts
2015 Penrith Panthers 18 5 20
2016 21 8 32
2017 23 7 28
2018 16 13 52
2019 10 1 4
Parramatta Eels 9 3 12
2020 22 6 24
2021 17 7 28
2022 22 12 48
2023 7
2024 St. Helens 24 11 44
2025 Bradford Bulls - - -
Totals 189 73 292

International

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In October, Blake was selected by Fiji for the 2023 Pacific Rugby League Championships.[60]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Waqa Blake - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Waqa Blake a future State of Origin star, says Brad Fittler". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b Walshaw, Nick (26 April 2015). "Waqa Blake a Future State of Origin Star". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2015.[dead link]
  4. ^ Chammas, Michael (10 April 2015). "Panther Rookie Waqa Blake played Rugby League by Accident". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Waqa Blake". NYC DATABASE. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  6. ^ Ben Horne. "Penrith Panthers seal thrilling 42-30 Holden Cup victory over New Zealand Warriors". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 July 2015.[dead link]
  7. ^ "NRL big guns for Samoa, Fiji teams". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  8. ^ Badel, Peter (3 May 2014). "Samoa ruin Fijian prop Petero Civoniceva's shock comeback to rugby league". Courier Mail. Retrieved 18 July 2015.[dead link]
  9. ^ "VB NSW Cup Representative side named". NRL.com. July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Queensland Residents scrape home". NRL.com. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  11. ^ Adrian Warren (20 July 2015). "Tonga smash Samoa 36-4". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Penrith Panthers Take VB NSW Cup Title With Win Over Newcastle Knights". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 July 2015.[dead link]
  13. ^ "Northern Pride stun Penrith Panthers in NRL's State Championship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  14. ^ "PANTHERS RE-SIGN PEACHEY AND BLAKE". Rugby League Week. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  15. ^ Chris Garry. "North Queensland Cowboys defeat Penrith Panthers 30-10 inspired by Johnathan Thurston". Courier Mail.
  16. ^ "Penrith Panthers beat Manly Sea Eagles in injury-ravaged clash". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 3 May 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  18. ^ "City Country Origin Coach Laurie Daley Praises Matt Moylan, Josh Jackson". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 25 December 2015.[dead link]
  19. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  20. ^ "2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines Official Squads". 3 February 2016. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  21. ^ "'I looked like a Swiss ball. I was round'". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Penrith Panthers' impressive retention drive continues with Waqa Blake". 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Auckland Nines 2017: Teens and tyros headline team of the tournament". 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Panthers captain Matt Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake dropped for 'team protocol breach'". Daily Telegraph. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Tonga v Fiji preview". 4 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Unlikely hero inspires 12-man Tonga to victory". 6 May 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Penrith's Blake out of Manly clash". 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  28. ^ "What troubles? Panthers put off-field woes behind them". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Waqa Blake adds to Panthers' injury woes". 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  30. ^ "'Very disappointing': Warriors embarrassed". News.com.au. 6 July 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Eels snatch Panthers star in mid-season signing frenzy". Fox Sports. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  32. ^ "Westfund Injury Update: Waqa Blake". Penrith Panthers. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  33. ^ "Penrith Panthers beat Parramatta Eels 16-10 to end NRL losing run". ABC. 23 May 2019. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Parramatta Eels edge New Zealand Warriors 24-22 in controversial stunner". News.com.au. 27 July 2019. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  35. ^ "Moses guides Eels past sorry Titans in NRL". 7 News. 16 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Friday Night Results". www.abc.net. 12 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  37. ^ "Parramatta Eels farewell 11 players in mass exodus following disappointing finals exit". www.sportingnews.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  38. ^ "I know what I am capable of". wwwsmh.com.au. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  39. ^ "Brisbane Broncos' NRL losing streak continues as Parramatta Eels score comeback 24-16 win; Newcastle Knights beat Bulldogs". www.abc.net.au. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Right-edge review after Blake badly exposed by Manly". www.nrl.com. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  41. ^ "Parramatta Eels defeat Newcastle Knights 28-20 in NRL elimination final". ABC News. 12 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Penrith Panthers handed NRL breach notice, fined $25,000 after incident in Parramatta semi-final". ABC News. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  43. ^ "The 'sharp knife' set to trigger Eels title surge as Dragons' big signing flops: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 3 April 2022. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  44. ^ "Injury Update: Waqa Blake". www.parraeels.com.au. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  45. ^ "The 'key cog' that puts clock on Eels' title window; Benji pinpoints big Warriors 'shift': 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  46. ^ "Roosters, Eels and Sharks add pre-finals drubbings to one-sided round of NRL". www.abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  47. ^ "NRL Grand Final as it happened". www.theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  48. ^ "Moses proves his value and shows Tigers what they've been missing amid Doueihi disaster - 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  49. ^ "North Queensland 24 Parramatta 16". www.nrl.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  50. ^ "NRL Team Lists Round 23". www.nrl.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  51. ^ "Grand Final flyer let go as Eels farewell FIVE departing players — Off-season Central". www.foxsports.com.au.
  52. ^ "St Helens confirm Waqa Blake signing as Fiji star takes the vacant No. 3 jersey: 'I can't wait'". Love Rugby League. 11 January 2024.
  53. ^ "Super League: St Helens 40-4 London Broncos - Saints thrash promoted side". www.bbc.co.uk.
  54. ^ "Waqa Blake dropped to Saints Reserves for weekend's match". www.sthelensstar.co.uk.
  55. ^ "St Helens romp to 10-try victory at Castleford". www.bbc.co.uk.
  56. ^ "Nine-try Saints hammer Broncos to return to top". www.bbc.co.uk.
  57. ^ "St Helens confirm seven player exits with one major name omitted from list". www.seriousaboutrl.com.
  58. ^ Walker, Callum (15 November 2024). "Ex-St Helens player Waqa Blake finds surprise new club". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  59. ^ Drew Darbyshire (15 November 2024). "Waqa Blake's first words after joining Championship heavyweights following St Helens departure". Love Rugby League.
  60. ^ "Klein praised for stunning Fiji try". wwos.nine.com.au.
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