KEY POINTS:
Adrian Morley laughs when he's reminded of the events of the past couple of weeks.
Described as a "maniac" by NZRL chairman Andrew Chalmers for his coat-hanger tackle that floored Awen Guttenbeil in the All Golds game, the 30-year-old has been called a lot worse.
Morley has been no stranger to controversy throughout his long career and recognised Chalmers was using inflammatory tones in the hope of attracting a bigger crowd to last week's first test, as well as highlighting the inadequacies of the judicial process.
Chalmers used more choice words after Sam Burgess escaped censure for his high shot on Fuifui Moimoi in last weekend's test, taking the heat off a relieved Morley.
"Sam took the pressure off me on Saturday and I'm trying to keep out of trouble," Morley said ahead of this morning's second test. "It's not something I do intentionally, but in the heat of the moment you do occasionally make the wrong decisions."
It's fair to say Morley has made a number of wrong decisions in his time. He's had more dates with the judiciary than most and has developed a reputation as one of the hardest players in the game.
There is one decision, however, the burly prop doesn't regret. In 2001 he signed with the Sydney Roosters and played six highly successful seasons with the glamour NRL club.
It wasn't always easy, particularly in the first year, and there were many times when he wondered why he had left the security of being one of the best players in the UK Super League.
"I was only 23 when I went over and I had never really lived away from home so I had to grow up quickly," he says. "The NRL is very unforgiving. The first year I was there I was quite high profile and it didn't go as well as I would have liked.
"The Aussie press certainly let you know how they feel and I copped a bit in the papers. Some of it was justified, some of it wasn't but it made me develop a thicker skin to accept media criticism.
"I was the only Englishman playing there, which I was very proud of, but I felt very isolated at times. Some of the rivalry was good-natured but some of it was a bit personal.
"I thought they took it a bit far. For a while there, I did feel a bit on my own but when I started playing well and the team started playing well, I was really proud of flying the flag for England. I really enjoyed the fact I was on my own."
Morley believes the NRL is a much tougher competition than the Super League, although he says the gap is closing, and it's part of the reason why more British players don't test themselves in Australia.
Only a handful have tried - with varying success. Brian Carney proved a valuable acquisition for Newcastle but Richie Mathers (Titans), Mark Edmonson (Roosters) and Chris Thorman (Eels) have struggled.
"A lot of players like the idea but a lot of it comes down to money," Morley says. "Even though it's the main game in Australia, you get more money in the UK and the pound is stronger. The British players also realise it's a tougher competition so why would they risk their reputation on less money?
"I didn't go for the money, I went for the challenge. I was regarded as one of the best players over here and I wanted to see if I could do it over there. I wouldn't change the experience for anything."
Morley won a premiership title with the Roosters in 2002 and helped them to the grand final in 2003 and 2004. These days he's trying to build Warrington to a position where they can chase titles. For Morley, it's all about challenges.
With Simon Moran's millions - made from the music industry - at the club's disposal, they've recruited a number of big names. Next season Matt King, Michael Monaghan and Chris Hicks will join the club but the salary cap means a lack of depth might see them struggle to challenge the traditionally powerful Leeds, St Helens, Bradford and Wigan.
Morley expects to retire after his Warrington contract ends in three years and he's planning to quit international rugby league after next year's World Cup.
Whether he does it on his terms or or with a judicial nudge is up to him and his sometimes swinging arms.
