Time heals all wounds – even those inflicted by rampaging 113-kilogram Tongan forwards.
New Zealand coach David Kidwell has moved to bury the hatchet with defector Jason Taumalolo, saying he’d be happy to chat with the Mate Ma’a lock after their Rugby League World Cup clash in Hamilton on Saturday.
Auckland-born Toumalolo sent shockwaves through Kidwell’s camp when he turned his back on the Kiwis on the eve of the competition to link with Tonga.
Kidwell was initially incensed by the decision but has mellowed since his side’s two dominant pool victories over Samoa and Scotland.
He says he’d be more than willing to speak with Taumalolo and fellow defectors David Fusitu’a, Manu Ma’u and Sio Siua Taukeiaho post-match.
“You know, time heals I suppose. Jason’s playing for Tonga and we’ve got guys playing for New Zealand. If the opportunity arises and I get the chance to talk to him, 100 per cent I will,” Kidwell told reporters on Tuesday.
“We just have to focus on us, our energy, and where that needs to be.”
Kidwell admitted being impressed by the efforts of Mate Ma’a in their opening two games, sweeping aside Scotland 50-4 and Toa Samoa 32-18.
His Kiwis would approach the Pool B crunch match in their usual way, without any extra animosity or fire in the belly but would nevertheless remain on high alert for Taumalolo’s indefatigable running game.
The 24-year-old has made a combined 366 Cup metres with ball-in-hand.
“It’s about limiting his metres,” Kidwell said.
“He’s obviously the form forward in the game.
“We’re nice and relaxed and not tapping into any emotion or anything, just preparing the way we have been for the last three weeks.”
Jacko
Guest
it is for Namibia
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
haven't you got a life Clipper, seriously hanging out in threads about a sport you hate?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Afl fanboy strikes again!
Griffo
Guest
How is "true" a description of one's performance in bed, bad or good? Isn't it embarrassing for you to find out that your insult, which no doubt you thought was so clever, is actually not very clever at all. Pathetic.
clipper
Guest
They're $2.10 for the next world cup, not such short odds. Many posters were saying there would be a huge crowd of the England Lebanon game in Sydney, well, that might be so as they're already advertising free tickets.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
KAPOW - ZING - OOMPH. What an articulate and snappy riposte that was. It's not enough to bag another code, now it seems necessary to drag ones spouse into it as well. Beyond the pale. I really do feel sorry for you champion.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Hooked the fish straight away! Lol!
Justin Kearney
Guest
One of them has used about twenty logins this year at least. Pathetic but true.
shinobi
Guest
11 out of the 17 are Maori (or at lest maori backgrounds) so it practically is.
Nat
Roar Guru
Don't even engage them fellas. 2 blokes with a few logins who cannot offer anything about the game itself.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Are you sure? When I last checked the the fixtures, there were seven games being played. Doesn't that mean there would need to be 14 teams? I don't know. Maybe my math is bad or something.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Haters are gonna hate jimmy. There aren't enough pills in the world to cure some of the league hating mob that inhabit this space.
Jimmmy
Guest
Hi North l To continue your analogy, I think it’s because RL is the big swinging d of the Rugby codes in this county and some others are just so envious. Someone told me there are pills you can take for that problem . Maybe they should give them a try.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Too right Justin, the footy has been great, after a month without. Peoples views won't stop me from enjoying the games but jeez it gets tiresome when the sheep keep bleating about nothing. I read the roar for enjoyment and hopefully to learn something from others opinions, most times that is the case, then you get situations like this article and the way the conversation goes off on a codewar tangent. Sure I can scroll past but I've still got to read part of the rubbish to filter it out - tedious.
terry tavita
Roar Rookie
there's not much to talk about the rlwc this week..news has sort of fizzled after the big samoa-tonga clash last week..
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
With you UITN. For some reason a small number of people just have to bag league and they do it incessantly. I think we just have to accept it. I am really really enjoying the RLWC. I know its not as big as other world cups but who cares? This weekends footy will be great fun and RLWC programs will be watched by over 6 million viewers across australia as they were last weekend. Enjoy mate!
Renegade
Roar Guru
NZ at $1.65 is the lowest I’ve ever seen for any competition with 20 participants
Jimmmy
Guest
Go you good thing.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
How has this article gone from being about Kidwell mellowing towards Jason and turned into a code war with union?? Next rwc the rah rah mob can bleat to their hearts content, in the meantime is it possible to focus on the Rugby League World Cup - please. I was moderated for my less than flattering comments, why must I be subjected to their negative drivel on a simple league story?
Fiji
Guest
Haha yeah the union world cup is one team. The All Blacks. The Fijian Wallabies and South England battle it out for second place.