Adam Blair admits it’s time to step up after struggling to adjust during a disappointing first season with Wests Tigers following his high-profile switch from Melbourne.
The combative forward’s signing was seen as the final piece of the jigsaw for the Tigers, who started 2012 as favourites to win the NRL premiership.
However, it proved to be a disastrous campaign, with the team finishing 10th, coach Tim Sheens sacked and players being forced out of the club.
Blair at times looked a pale shadow of the rampaging back-rower who was a key member of Melbourne’s pack and the 26-year-old revealed life away from the Storm was hard to get used to.
His poor form also led to him being dropped by New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney for Saturday’s one-off Test against Australia, only to be recalled following an injury that forced Jeremy Smith to withdraw.
“How I played this year, I don’t think I deserved to be picked in front of the boys who played finals footy,” Blair said on Thursday in Townsville.
“I need to start stepping up at club level and for the Kiwis.
“We have lots of young players in the New Zealand side who are looking to take my place.”
Blair says he struggled to adapt to a different on-field role with the more free-wheeling Tigers.
“Coming from a well-structured club like Melbourne, to somewhere where you have to find your feet was really hard,” he said.
“I found myself coming in and out of games. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but it was harder than I thought it was going to be.”
Blair is reported to be earning $500,000 a season at the Tigers and his arrival came after the club offloaded props Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita to Cronulla last season due to salary cap pressures.
Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan have since joined the pair at the Sharks following the 2012 season, and Blair admits his performances were affected by the pressure and uncertainty surrounding the squad.
“It happens at every club, and my future is secure at the Tigers so I couldn’t worry about anything else,” he said.
“But I did get caught up in it all and it took away from what I was doing and how I play footy.
“When I did get it back, it was at the back end of the season but it was too late.
“I was trying to do the things that I usually do, but it wasn’t what the Tigers needed from me.”
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