League: Webb says 'bring it on'

Brent Webb

MELBOURNE - Kiwis fullback Brent Webb can't wait for his forwards to dish up more David Kidwell-style punishment to the Kangaroos as the tourists look to seize back the Tri-Nations initiative this week.

Both sides yesterday continued the verbal exchanges sparked by Kidwell's tackle on Willie Mason, ensuring an electric opening stanza in Saturday's second Tri-Nations test at Telstra Dome here.

Webb rubbished claims from Mason and Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart that Kidwell's head-on tackle that flattened Mason, who had earlier sworn at the Kiwis during their haka, was a "cheap shot".

He said it was inspirational from his station at fullback.

"I thought it was a great shot. It lifted us, you could see that on the field and hopefully we'll see more of it on the weekend," Webb said.

Mason continued to fire up yesterday as he awaited scans on his puffed-up eye socket, which was suspected of being fractured after it slammed into the back of Kidwell's head.

He said the Kangaroos pack had "no respect" for Kidwell and dared him to run the ball up among the Kangaroos' big men.

Mason also claimed his words "f... off", caught on camera during the haka, were directed at Webb because he was an Aborigine performing the Maori challenge.

"It's pretty funny because I'm not Aboriginal, I'm a Torres Strait Islander," said Webb, who qualified for the Kiwis through residency in Auckland and is engaged to a New Zealander.

"Willie's known to say a few things, I don't think anyone really takes too much notice of what Willie says."

But huge defence alone won't be enough to turn around Saturday's result which was perhaps more comfortable than the Kangaroos' 30-18 margin would suggest.

The Kangaroos, with plenty of Broncos and Storm players from the National Rugby League (NRL) grand final, have more gamebreakers and looked more polished, while Kiwis playmaker Stacey Jones was just back from France and the rest thrown together from around the globe.

Webb said the Kiwis needed to work on slowing the game down.

"We were a bit loose around the middle. We gave the Aussies a bit too much time and a bit too much quick play the balls. Something to work on this week."

McClennan meanwhile said he wouldn't name his side until tomorrow but he wouldn't be making any "rash decisions" on personnel changes.

"We've got a lot of improvement in us. We need to be a lot more creative, especially out on the edges."

He admitted he was tiring of the Mason issue, but took umbrage at his claim Kidwell's tackle was a cheap shot.

"Not at all, it wasn't a cheap shot, it was a tackle and the referee saw it as that. We play within the rules of the game and we'll continue to."

McClennan welcomed Bradford utility Shontayne Hape and Warriors hooker Nathan Fien into the squad yesterday, saying Fien had made "terrific progress" from a back injury and was an outside chance of being fit for Saturday.

St Helens' Jason Cayless and Hull's Motu Tony were winging their way from England after St Helens' 26-4 Challenge Cup final win, with Cayless nursing a shoulder injury.

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart was to name his team today, with lock Reni Maitua the major doubt after suffering ankle ligament damage on Saturday.

- NZPA