The Warriors have been left reeling by the news that pack leader Addin Fonua-Blake is set to ask for an immediate release from the club in order to move back to Australia.

According to reports in The Daily Telegraph, the Tongan international prop is unhappy in Auckland and wishes to return to Sydney to be closer to his parents.

The news has put some of the NRL’s biggest names on notice, with several clubs likely to take an active interest in signing one of the game’s best big men.

St George Illawarra, his junior club, would be an obvious choice given their desire for marquee names and salary cap situation. With half of their roster off at the end of the year, new coach Shane Flanagan has plenty of flexibility to offer deals to players if the opportunity arose.

Manly, whom he left to join the Warriors, would also be likely to make a bid. They are a little tighter cap wise, but could free up space by allowing Josh Aloiai, who has been linked with a move to Leigh in the Super League, to leave.

The Bulldogs are in desperate need of a middle like Fonua-Blake, but would have to move multiple pieces around to make it work with their salary cap. They have been trying to get rid of Josh Addo-Carr, with Parramatta sniffing around, and this could certainly incentivise them to make that happen more quickly.

The Tigers, too, are crying out for a player like AFB, though they would likely be bottom of his list given their continued poor performances. Only if they broke the bank would they stand a chance.

Of the other Sydney clubs, the Bunnies and Roosters would not have the cap space, the Panthers and Eels already have their starting props locked in long term and the Sharks would likely not prioritise signing front rowers.

For New Zealand, the decision comes at a terrible time. They have huge numbers off contract come the end of next year and Fonua-Blake was one of their longest-contracted players, with the intention that he fill the leadership vacuum that will inevitably arise when Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris retire.

Now, they will have to rethink their long-term planning, should they choose to grant Fonua-Blake’s request.