League: The boy who stood up to the bully

Jamal Thompson was in a relaxed mood in Auckland yesterday after his run-in with Manly's John Hopoate. Picture / Greg Bowker

Fourteen-year-old Jamal Thompson is the gutsy kid who stood up to Manly bully John Hopoate.

The Warriors ball-boy was abused by Hopoate during Sunday's controversial match at Ericsson Stadium and yesterday Hopoate telephoned Jamal and apologised for the incident. It is understood Hopoate called Jamal a "little shit".

The apology came after an NRL investigation. Hopoate and touch judge Pat Reynolds yelled at young Jamal to throw the ball into play for a tap re-start from a penalty just before halftime.

But Jamal knew if he did he would break the rules. Instead, he correctly placed the ball on the sideline. The incident has embarrassed the NRL considering a 14-year-old knew the rules yet a touch judge and former test player did not.

Jamal told the Sydney Daily Telegraph yesterday that he was intimidated by Hopoate.

"But I wasn't going to give in to him," Jamal said.

"I was pretty scared and disgusted. But I hear off the field he can be a nice bloke."

Meanwhile, Warriors prop Richard Villasanti will miss Saturday's game against the Broncos in Brisbane with a shoulder injury.

Jerome Ropati replaces Lance Hohaia at five-eighths and Sione Faumuina returns on the bench.

Villasanti is not expected to miss more than the one game.

Ropati comes in to improve the combination with halfback Stacey Jones at the expense of Lance Hohaia, who is 18th man, and coach Tony Kemp has added Tevita Latu to the bench.

Latu should provide the dummy-half runs which were missing last weekend as hooker Nathan Fien struggled with a head cut.

Broncos prop Petero Civoniceva may not face the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium because of a calf injury, but the team as named yesterday is unchanged from the one which toughed it out against the Cowboys in round one.

If Civoniceva is ruled out, it will mean an early return for Dane Carlaw, who has had off-season shoulder surgery, and a move up to the starting 13 for former All Black Brad Thorn.

Manly's complaint about referee Sean Hampstead's handling of Fien has resulted in a reinforcement of guidelines.

Fien should have been sent off to have a cut properly attended to before being allowed back to play, referees' boss Robert Finch has reiterated.

Bench player Shayne Dunley, who packed against Fien at hooker, has asked for a blood test to clear him of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

The NRL has decided not to pursue action against Manly chief executive Paul Cummings for his interchange with sideline officials over the Fien issue, after Ericsson Stadium ground manager Ken Loza reported Cummings for his comments.

Manly's Terry Hill was on report for two suspect tackles against the Warriors, but was charged over one and will escape suspension if he pleads guilty to a high shot on Jerome Ropati that came late in the game when the result was still in the balance.

* Suncorp Stadium, Saturday

NZ Warriors

Brent Webb
Todd Byrne
Tony Martin
Clinton Toopi
Francis Meli
Jerome Ropati
Stacey Jones
Ruben Wiki
Nathan Fien
Steve Price (c)
Awen Guttenbeil
Wairangi Koopu
Monty Betham

Brisbane

Karmichael Hunt
Justin Hodges
Brent Tate
Shaun Berrigan
Leon Bott
Darren Lockyer (c)
Brett Seymour
Shane Webcke
Barry Berrigan
Petero Civoniceva
Corey Parker
David Stagg
Tonie Carroll

Reserves:


Warriors: Tevita Latu, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Louis Anderson, Sione Faumuina, 18th man Lance Hohaia.

Brisbane: Brad Thorn, Casey McGuire, Darren Mapp, Sam Thaiday.

* Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley is suspended from his team's match against Manly at Brookvale Oval this weekend after admitting a high tackle on Penrith wing Luke Rooney.

"We will cop our medicine in relation to Brett," Cronulla general manager Steve Rogers said.