http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/04/30/9918_sports.html
Matai will fire NZ up
Jason Avedissian
30 April 2008
FORMER New Zealand coach Graham Lowe is urging Kiwi selectors to forget the past and pick fiery Manly centre Steve Matai for next month's Test against Australia.
Matai's last appearance for New Zealand saw him sent off for a high shot on Australian centre Mark Gasnier.
The indescretion led to Australian coach Ricky Stuart labelling Matai a "cheap-shot merchant".
If named in the Kiwi squad, Matai will again go head-to-head with Gasnier when the two teams clash in the Centenary Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on May 9.
"He would be the first bloke I would pick," Lowe told The Manly Daily during a round of golf in Brisbane yesterday.
"He's the sort of player they need. He's got experience and is a professional player.
"It (the send-off) was just one of those things that happens in footy.
"I don't think he will let the team down.
"If it had of come off, he would have been hailed a hero."
Matai, who has played two matches for Manly after recovering from off-season surgery, said the Gasnier tackle was "unfortunate."
"I didn't go out there to hurt anyone," he told the Daily yesterday. "It was unfortunate what happened. It was just a big hit that came off a bit wrong.
"I don't listen to any of that (Stuart's comments). It's water off a duck's back really.
"I'm not going to change my game.
"If playing hard and running the ball up hard is a crime ... then lock me up."
Kiwi selectors held a tele-conference last night with a squad likely to be named this week.
Selector Darrell Williams said Matai's tackle on Gasnier will not count against him.
"That was a brain explosion," the ex-Manly centre said.
"He knows we don't condone that sort of stuff.
"If he was a repeat offender at that level then it would be a problem."
Matai said Test selection was not a priority now as he continues his comeback.
"If I'm lucky enough to get in, then I will be glad to play," Matai said.
"I'm not thinking about it at the moment."
