The move to the Warriors has brought the best out of Fonua-Blake, who is widely lauded as one of the competition’s most devastating props.

And in a twist of fate, Fonua-Blake will be pitted against Cronulla, who travel to Auckland in round one on Friday. 

Asked if he and his teammates felt they had a point to prove against Fonua-Blake, Hunt told AAP: “He’s going to be a good addition for us next year.  

“But he’s not a Shark yet … so we're going to treat him like we treat every other forward pack that we come up against.

“We'll give him a little taste of what he's in for.

“He's a hell of a player, so we'll throw down a challenge and see how he takes it.”

Hunt said he admired Fonua-Blake’s ability to wriggle out of tackles and his ability to ball-play at the line in a bid to create space for the Warriors' playmakers.

“He’s got some big hips, I know that for free,” Hunt said. 

“He’s got a great engine and has his hand in every one of their plays. 

“If we can tire him out and take him out of some of them we’ll be a lot better off.” 

Mount Smart Stadium is set to be awash with noise when the Warriors welcome back fan favourite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after his brief dalliance with rugby union.

But the Sharks are keen to spoil his homecoming after being humbled 44-12 at the venue in one of the low points last season.

Hunt didn’t play that game, but said they couldn’t allow the boisterous home crowd to work as a distraction.

“If we can get on the front foot and power through the middle, then our backline can do the rest,” Hunt said. 

“I don’t hear that noise when I play, I’m dialled in and all of that doesn’t really affect me.”  

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