BLAKE LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025

We sat down with Waqa Blake at Saturday's Season Launch to discuss a number of topics heading into the 2025 season...

Thoughts on the club…

“It's a club with a lot of history and in the last couple of years they’ve been working their way up with two third placed finishes and now with the squad we’ve got, we won’t look too far ahead but things are looking good, everyone’s been training well so I am pretty keen to be a part of history.”

On first impressions of the Bradford Bulls…

“From my first day I noticed a lot of the younger players in the squad and there’s a lot of boys here who work and come into training and put their effort in. Everyone is fit and firing and I think we’ll be a real danger in the competition this year. I just want to put my bit into it and hopefully we can come away and be a part of history.”  

On competition for places and off field support…

“I think it’s good [competition for places], it keeps everyone honest and with the star players we have here we should go on to do very well. But it’s not just us there’s a lot of younger players pushing for spots as well which is what’s impressing me at the moment. We have got some great coaching staff here too and it helps we have a lot of great fans at this club and we just want to go out there and win.”

Brian Noble’s influence…

“Nobby gave me a call and spoke to me and just looking at how the club went this year and the players in the squad like Jorge Taufua it made my decision very easily. I wanted to give Super League another crack but I want to do my bit and help this club get into Super League, back where it should be.” 

Looking to enjoy his rugby in 2025…

“I am coming here looking to put a smile on my face and enjoy my footy again. I would never lose the love for Rugby League, it was a difficult year and I’ve been through difficult times before but it’s just about the way you act from it. I was lucky enough to go represent my country and as soon as I did that, I had a smile on my face and I was able to enjoy having a good environment around me. I want to be able to put my best foot forward and enjoy the year. I want to become one of the best centres in the Championship and doing my job will help everyone else.”

Keen to support the younger players in the squad…

“I have been there and done everything but I just want to not only play well for myself but for the team and I want to help nurture the younger players and help them with whatever they need. That’s what makes this very exciting for myself, JT, a lot of us players who’ve come in from outside the club we can spread our knowledge.”

Targets for 2025…

“I want to stay injury free and be consistent but not just that. I think we all have that one goal. We want to go to Super League.”  

Waqa is proudly sponsored by Batty Developments.