Taupau: I was just doing my job

Martin Taupau of New Zealand runs the ball during the Trans-Tasman Test match between the Australia Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis back rower Martin Taupau says he has made peace with Kangaroos counterpart Sam Thaiday, after their controversial encounter in Sunday's 26-12 win.

Taupau was one of the best players on the field for the Kiwis, but was involved in an ugly incident towards the end of the first half.

After receiving some rough treatment from Thaiday in a tackle, which resulted in the Kiwis being awarded a penalty, Taupau bounced to his feet and directed a throat slitting gesture at the Broncos captain.

Kiwis captain Simon Mannering said it was "out of character" for the Tigers player, and Taupau had little to say about the flashpoint.

"I was just trying to draw a penalty and..well, [it's] probably best not to say anything," said Taupau. "Whatever happens stays on the field. After that me and Sammy [Thaiday] were good, we were pretty good. We spoke about it, it's all good."

Soon after the incident his team mates gathered around Taupau and urged him to calm down, and focus on his tackle busting runs that had turned the first half.

"I needed to let it go and go with the next play," said Taupau. "You can't dwell on it, especially in big games like this."

Taupau broke the job open with a serious of powerful charges before halftime but claims he was just doing his job.

"I get told to run hard and tackle hard and that's what I did," said Taupau.

"We needed to lay the platform for our backs and Manu Vatuvei, Kieran [Foran] and Shaun [Johnson] capitalised on that."

Just like the Four Nations final last year, Taupau set up the win with his first half effort, where he carried for a staggering 100 metres in 20 minutes.

"That's what you have to do," said Taupau. "For any player coming off the bench you have to bring a lot of energy and impact. I think that's what I did and I was pretty happy with my performance."

Taupau, who made his debut in last year's Anzac test, has now won three of his first tests against Australia, a record probably unrivalled in recent New Zealand league history. The team is on an upward surge, and Taupau says the answer is simple.

"There's is no secret ingredient, it's just self belief," said Taupau. "Everyone gets along in our camp and has a lot of self belief. We back ourselves and our ability. But in the long run it's still baby steps for this team."