Warriors hero Adam Blair ‘I HAD TO PUT MY WHĀNAU FIRST'

Revealing the real reason he retired,the league legend opens up out a health crisis and a family tragedy

- Annemarie Quill

Death threats, taunts and accusations of being a dirty player have never put Kiwi league legend Adam Blair off the game he loves. His family and Māori culture have always kept the NRL star strong.

“You cop a lot of flak in sport,” the 35-year-old tells Woman’s Day. “It can be brutal, but I always knew my worth on the field and off. The only time it bothered me was when it affected my family, like when my son had to read headlines about me at school in Australia.

“I was just a young MaÌ„ori kid from a small town in Northland, but I learned how to push through tough times. I want to show young people they can too – not just in sport, but in all that life throws at you.”

Adam has two sons, Harlem, 11, and four-year-old Taika (named after director Taika Waititi), with his wife Jess, 35, a nutritionist, naturopath and wellness influencer. He describes his whānau as his greatest joy.

Now based in Auckland and coaching the Warriors after retiring from the team late last year, Adam also trains Taika’s under-six league squad. “I look forward to every Saturday,” he grins. “It cracks me up watching them running backwards and round in circles. Great enthusiasm!”

Spending more time with family was why Adam pulled the plug on his glittering career, which saw him become the second most capped Kiwi player in the NRL and the first person ever to play 50 league tests for New Zealand. The time felt right to hang up his boots so Jess could focus on her career.