Brisbane are willing to release the 31-year-old from the final year of his contract, and Auckland has always held appeal for Blair. He'll gain the security of a longer term deal (believed to be at least three years), as well as a chance to reunite with Kearney, who he worked with at the Storm and the Broncos, aside from almost a decade with the national team.
The signing of the Kiwis' captain is not without risk, as he is in his 12th season of first grade and is entering the twilight of his career. But the Warriors have nowhere left to turn and the biggest risk is not to take one.
Blair was first spotted by the Warriors in the early 2000s, as a talented teenager playing in Whangarei.
Blair was invited to join the Warriors development squad but was already being tracked by the Storm, and elected to go to Melbourne, where he played in three grand finals, winning the 2009 decider (though the title was later annulled by the NRL due to salary cap breaches).
The Warriors also made a play for Blair earlier this decade, before he extended his deal at the Broncos.
Blair, who could captain the Broncos in Friday's semifinal against the Roosters, has averaged 50 minutes, 21 tackles and 74 running metres in 24 matches this season.
The 27-year-old Beale, who has also played with the Broncos and Dragons during his career, offers versatility as he can cover all positions across the outside backs. He has played 161 NRL games.
Beale has made 20 appearances for the Sharks this year, averaging almost 100 running metres per game.
