Kiwis star available for Denver
Manly boss Lyall Gorman insists his club will not block Kiwis enforcer Martin Taupau from fronting in the controversial Denver test.
Gorman, who was in Christchurch on Thursday for the unveiling of a custom-designed Nga¯ i Tahu jersey that Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will wear when they take on the Warriors in Christchurch on June 9, confirmed the Kiwis prop will have the option to play in the much-talked about test against England.
The New Zealand-England clash is on June 23. The same weekend as the standalone State of Origin round when no NRL matches will be played.
The availability of NRL players from both sides has been a hot topic but Gorman’s one word answer on Manly’s Taupau makes pleasing news for Kiwis fans.
‘‘Yes. If he wants to go. The choice will be his,’’ the Sea Eagles chief executive said. ‘‘If Marty puts his hand up and wants to play, absolutely.’’
The NRL, some of its clubs and the Rugby League Players’ Association have previously raised concerns over the timing, travel and altitude surrounding the test that will be played in the middle of the Colorado summer. Denver is 1609 metres above sea level. Gorman said he and the 15 other NRL clubs chief executives meet with New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) last week where positive and detailed information was presented.
He conceded there was still come concerns from clubs around the timing and the altitude but said the NZRL was clearly doing everything possible for the welfare of players. Manly, who were thumped 35-12 at home by the Tigers last Sunday, have been struggling in 2018 with just two wins in the opening six rounds. ‘‘Our performance hasn’t been consistent enough and we know that,’’ Gorman said.
Manly’s poor start has not been helped by the salary cap scandal – that forces them to play with A$330,000 (NZ$351,258) stripped from their cap for the next two seasons – a horrific injury toll and the much-publicised bust-up between playmakers Daly CherryEvans and Jackson Hastings that will almost certainly mean Hastings will not play for the Sea Eagles again.
‘‘That’s nothing to do with our culture, it’s just on-field performance and the team gelling. We’ve got some new combinations there in the halves that we’re still working through.’’
But Gorman is backing the club to fight its way into finals contention and is optimistic of a win in Christchurch.
‘‘We’ve got to have belief. You can’t go anywhere without belief so of course there is belief across our club,’’ he said.
Manly has committed to playing home games against the Warriors at AMI Stadium in 2018 and 2019 with an option for a third match in 2020. Designed by renowned Nga¯ i Tahu artist Fayne Robinson, the jersey is a mixture of Ngai Tahu and Manly heritage.
Gorman, who was presented with a pounamu stone with similar designs to the jersey by Robinson at the Tuahiwi Marae on Thursday, said the experience of a po¯ whiri put the cultural meaning of the jersey into a new perspective.
‘‘It’s something that’s touched me emotionally and made that jersey come to life in a form that I didn’t really envisage it would.’’