League: Ill feeling remains in Tri Nations

A war of words is brewing ahead of game two in the Tri Nations rugby league series in Melbourne.

Kangaroos prop Willie Mason is vowing revenge after David Kidwell's big hit in Saturday night's opener.

Contrary to popular belief, Kidwell says he did not smash Mason in response to the Australian's verbal barrage while the Kiwis performed the haka.

Mason says Kidwell's hit was not big, it was cheap and he owes him one. He says that is just the way David Kidwell plays, and it is fine as long he runs down the middle of the field come Saturday night.

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has continued his own verbal volley, saying the sport does not need what Willie Mason did. He says the game is tough enough, and Mason's action were a showing of poor sportsmanship.

Mason has told Australian League officials his verbal barrage during the haka in Auckland was directed at the Kiwis' Australian born fullback, Brent Webb.

The Auckland-born Mason told officials he was incensed at the hypocrisy of Webb, who was born in Cairns, performing the haka at Mt Smart Stadium. Mason is claiming he said: "He's an f---ing Aboriginal. What's he doing?"

There is still a fair amount of ill feeling with McClennan saying they are all fairly upset, although it will not probably boil over into the weekend's test in Melbourne.

McClennan says they are disappointed in his actions, although it is only one man and they all realise he has been controversial in the past.

- NEWSTALK ZB