Mason vows revenge
Sunday, 15 October 2006 @ 10:41 AM
sportal.com.au
Willie Mason has vowed to get even with David Kidwell after a shoulder charge from the Kiwi left the big Australian forward bloodied and dazed in a spiteful Tri-Nations clash.
During the opening tri-nations clash, Mason was left with a big egg under his right eye, courtesy of a fierce shoulder charge from Kidwell.
"I don't know if you would call it a big hit - it was more like a cheap shot," Mason told the Sunday Telegraph.
"(Kidwell) came in from the side like he always does. I never see him taking the ball in the middle of the ruck, so I don't care what he says. Do I owe him one? Yes I do."
Mason was also the centre of attention after he was found on camera to be disrespecting the Kiwi haka before the match.
During the traditional haka Mason appeared to mouth the words "What the f... is that? F... off."
Kidwell denies the claims that Mason's pre-match spray was the reason behind the bone-crunching collision.
"I am Maori and Kiwi and the haka is very close to my heart," Kidwell said.
"I actually didn't know he was doing that. Someone told me after the game. They thought that's why I did it (shoulder charge) but it wasn't. But he better not do it again."
Australian coach Ricky Stuart is confident that Mason will be fit and ready to face New Zealand in the re-match at Telstra Dome on October 21st.
"He got a really bad head knock," Stuart said.
"It looked like a clash of heads with the injury to his eye. Hopefully it is not his eye socket. We seem to think he looks ok at the moment."
The match was a physical clash with Melbourne Storm star Matt King thrown into advertising boards by Manu Vatuvei.
King retaliated, throwing punches at Vatuvei, with nearly every player on the pitch running in to remonstrate.