Videos - War! Australia -v- New Zealand, Tamati -v- Dowling Brisbane 1985
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibVZeKXITZg

Stats -

Where were you at the time of the blue --- The Era of the Biff would love to hear your story


Tamati -v- Dowling, sideline Lang Park. Australia versus New Zealand.

Share your memories......

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The game took place in the mid 80's, and the coach in charge of Leeds at the time was former GB and Bradford coach, Peter Fox.

Leeds had been told by the Great Britain management to 'soften' up the Kiwis for the first ten minutes so that they would be carrying a few cracks into the upcoming test match with GB the next weekend.

Well, to be fair, Leeds actually started it and started it with some silly high shots. The problem was that New Zealands pack consisted of some VERY hard players, the likes of Sorenson, Tamati, Graeme West, et al.

Leeds were playing in their change strip, which was white, and not one player came off the field without blood on his shirt. Seven players were stretchered from the field that day, and Keith Rayne, Leeds ex GB prop suffered a broken nose and broken fingers, yet still refused to leave the field.

It was only when he recieved six broken ribs through knees in the tackle that he was forced from the field. Things got so bad that the Leeds directors made Peter Fox attempt to take his players from the field of play, and yet everyone refused. Leeds lost the game 14-11, if I remember correctly, and finished with 11 men.

Many thanks to "GHOUT" UK for submitting this game

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Kevin returned to New Zealand during a UK offseason in the 1980's to play for an Auckland club side and then flew down to Wellington to play midweek for the Randwick club.

The Kingfishers, a fine-ball playing side were up against Eastern Suburbs who had a feared pack of giant forwards led by former Kiwis Whetu and Whare Henry.

Kevin carried out a one-man running war with Suburbs for 80 minutes-he took his share of lumps (he played hooker that night which wouldn't made the task any easer) as Randwick won the penalty count and the game and he returned to Auckland for another game in a couple of days - yes, this was in his off-season!

I feel a bit guilty joining in the painting of KT as a hardman as like Kurt Sorenson they were also extremely fine footballers as many of the players on the list were.

(QUIGS HERE...Thanks Colin and yes I agree 100% with you about the quality of the players in the Hardmen and Heroes list. But my point is the toughness of the players of that era was also a major part of their armour....if that makes sense. They set about putting fear or overpowering their opponents..... i.e. as you described in your story, when mentioning the Henry Boys. Mate I loved the skill factor of these supreme footballers. ....)

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Warrington v Wigan, 1 January, 1988
NEW YEAR'S DAY PUNCH-UP

WILDERSPOOL has staged many bad tempered matches but nothing compares to the New Year's Day 'derby' against Wigan in 1988.

While the game itself had a dramatic finale, it was the opening 20 minutes which captured all the headlines.

Wilderspool's biggest 'gate' of the season and highest league attendance for 15 years - 10,056 - ended up watching an 11-a-side game.

Southport referee Kevin Allatt sent four players off as the game boiled over. Another player was sent to the sin bin.

Afterwards, Warrington coach Tony Barrow described the episode as 'World War Three.'

The start was delayed eight minutes to allow the crowd to get in but on the pitch there was trouble from the first minute as Warrington's Les Boyd and Wigan's Adrian Shelford clashed.

The Boyd Gregory blue

There were other clashes before the game errupted on eight minutes, when Boyd and Andy Gregory tangled. Players from both sides piled in and Allatt ended up sending off Warrington's Tony Humphries with Wigan's Shelford.



Boyd was ordered to the sin bin. Even that did not end the hostility for on 20 minutes Wigan second rower Andy Goodway, currently the Great Britain coach, felled Paul Cullen and was sent marching to the tunnel.

As Goodway walked to the tunnel Cullen chased after him and launched himself at the Wigan player. A new brawl erupted and Cullen and Goodway had to be separated before the Warrington centre was also dismissed.

Cullen's moment of madness cost him a two match ban and probably cost Warrington victory, although Tony Barrow claimed at the time that Goodway had stamped on Cullen as he trooped towards the exit.

Thankfully, that was the end of the scenes but the game had already been tarnished. Wigan then opened the scoring when Ellery Hanley broke clear from the half way line.

Warrington responded with Australian Boyd leading the fightback. His power running set up touch downs for Billy McGinty and Brian Johnson. A drop goal from John Woods just before half-time gave Warrington a 13-4 advantage.

Then Gregory added his influence. His kick brought a try for Steve Hampson and then he was involved in the play that put Hanley over for his second try that gave Wigan a 14-13 lead.

Woods put over a penalty for off side but Gregory's drop goal two minutes from the end gave them a share of the spoils.

Warrington were in second place in the Stones Bitter Championship at the time - chasing Widnes for the title.

Result: Warrington 15 Wigan 15

Team: Brian Johnson; Des Drummond, Paul Cullen, Joe Ropati, David Lyon; John Woods, Martin Crompton; Les Boyd, Kevin Tamati, Tony Humphries, Bob Jackson, Ronnie Duane, Billy McGinty.
Subs: Mark Roberts, Gary Sanderson.

Tries: McGinty, Johnson.
Goals: Woods 3.
Drop goal: Woods

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To be perfectly honest Quigs it's just a vague re-collection of watching it on tele.

It must have been 1986 I think Australia V New Zealand Test, which would have made me 12.

I remember them starting fighting on the pitch, don't recall why, and then being sent to the sin bin.

The over-riding memory was them sledging each other all the way to the sin bin, which I believe was a seperate area then and then they started going at it hammer and tongs, and I don't mean handbags.

The commentator said something about not wanting to see this in our sport and the Director must have cut away but everyone one wanted to see the battle of the gladiators.

It was one of the first times I swore in front of my mother and father without realising, some along the lines of f*****g hell there still at it!!!

Got a belt round the ear for that!!!

Anyway sorry it's all a bit vague but I was only young.

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I remember this well...1985 first test of three...lang park..i was in front of our tv with my mum...i was only ten years old. K.T as he is known is a relation of ours and we are proud of his days as a league known hardman.....i have watched it on tape a few times because i wanted to know what started it.

From what i recall, tamati tackles dowling and as dowling gets up to play the ball leads with his head straight into the markers face which happens to be tamati then the brawl goes on ....and on.....and on.... my mum was screaming at the tv....

i was ten and i had to tell her to calm down she was calling dowling everything under the sun... i was shocked at what i was watching and hearin from my mums mouth! ha ha ha....then they got sin binned then it started again...sledging all the way off the feild... they made it a rule to send 1 player at a time off after this incident..it starts up and kevin gave it to him...my mum did too.!!!!!!...i was telling mum to be quiet coz she was yelling so much...

i have talked to kevin about that incident and says it was nothing much really....!!! he said the the best fight was against the poms.... where the cops on the side line had to help break it up....i think it might be second test in 84 or 86 against the poms, he said they gave the hooker in that game a hell of a touch up.. im not sure as our conversation was nearly 10 years ago..

as for my mum she still sits in front of the t.v watchin the games....but doesnt yell like that night of the tamati dowling fight....for the record....tamati 1 dowling nil....

just out of interest imagine how much money you could make if you got them in the boxing ring for one of those charity fights... or got all the players back for a charity type fight against there old foe.....you'd make millions!....p.s. dont forget my cut!

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You have a picture showing Andy Greg and Kurt Sorensen scrapping with gentleman Mick Adams looking on!!

viking means this one "Quigs"

Ironically all 3 played for the Widnes club in the UK!!

Are we the hardest club? we also had Vinty Karalius, Jim Mills and Kevin Tamati... whilst our Hulme
brothers were labelled by gary freeman as the dirtiest men he'd ever played against.

And he should know!!

More recently Penrith Rock Steve Carter played for us too.

Hail to the Chemics.. the Worlds hardest team.

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I heard this story second hand but I have heard it from a few sources.

After retiring Kevin became RL Development Officer for Warrington.

He organised a Touch Football competition for the local clubs.

One of the games blew up into a massive brawl (it was Warrington after all.

Kevin came onto the pitch and resolved the matter with two or three knockout punches.

Brawl over, no further problems

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SCOTT HUNTER
You can email scott on E Mail Address: schunter@iprimus.com.au

i am looking for a copy of the AUST V N.Z test at lang park i think 1986,when Greg Dowling & Kevin Tamiti had a stink on the sideline.

Your help would be great.
Regards Scott

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Players story: Kevin Tamati & Kurt Sorenson

When i played at Warrington rugby Union team in approx 1994/95 Kevin Tamati and Kurt Sorenson both played as "ringers".

Admitedly they didnt both play every week but they were more often than not listed in the starting line up.

As a 16 Year old Second rower i had no fear lining up against anyone in those days as i knew that if i got into "trouble" i would have back up in the form of Kev and Kurt....

Imagine the feeling of playing Rugby (Of either code) lining up with your terrace hero's..... It was fantastic.

Just thought i would share my little piece of Rugby History.

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Kevin Tamati, gentleman and a scholar.

After his unforgettable fight with Greg Dowling years ago he is and as been for along time my overall number one, perhaps Boydy could come a close second!!!

Kevin is a gentleman off the field always available for chats and charity events a truly good man.

I met him via a friend and then never spoke to him for 7-8 years, he saw me around and remembered my name immediately and came over, i was pleasantly surprised.

If you read this kevin, get in touch via the e-mail, miss you around Warrington and in particular the JJb Gym hitting the bag together.

Hope you have settled in back home.

Take care,

Gary Worrall.
Warrington UK

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In the 1st test match between New Zealand and Australia in 1985 at Lang Park, Mark Graham copped a high shot from the Aussie second rower Noel Cleal,the Aussie commentator said there could be some retribution from the Kiwi's.

From the tap penalty who was the first man to take the ball up, Kevin Tamati, he steamed into the Aussies without any thought for his own safety, a very hard man among hard men

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Osborne Karauria

I know Kevin personally, he is married to my first cousin Tira. They come around to visit me often, and sometimes he drops out to my work just to pass the time away, or to just make contact whenever he gets the urge. Im actually about to help build a deck for his house when I get the chance.

This is my story about Kevin who I knew when he was just starting out playing league.

I met him for the first time years ago down in Wellington, and only saw him play two games here in NZ. The rest I saw him play on the TV.

When they moved to England, I got the impression that this was his big break and he would make money as alot of either league players or rugby players do now.

This is what I think now. This man was one of the first men who actuallt put the game on the map here in NZ. As did other guys from that era. Where are they now, whats become of them. This I know right now.

I dont think rehashing that brawl was all there was to this man. Is that all we remember Kevin for. I know him to be a real man, and perhaps deep down inside of him, that brawl is his 15 minutes of fame, I dont think so..

Give the man more credit then just that brawl. Hes a man, and when hes in my house just sitting here and we're having a good laugh about anything, or just shooting the breeze. I dont think of him as just that brawler. I think of him as part of my extended family. And a man I can call a friend, I dont just mean a friend who had a one time brawl on some league field.

I can feel his aura. And to have that sort of aura about ones person, I would give anything to have.

This is my point to this story.

The man now works at the freezing works, grows saffron, is trying to do up a old house.

While the next generation of league players are reaping the benifits Kevin and his kind sowed the seeds to.

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I never really saw Kevin play too much cos I was living in Wales following the other code when I grew up.

However, I moved to Warrington where Kevin was RL Devel Officer and played under Kevin off and on for best part of 10 years, through Junior rugby, finally ending at Lancashire Lynx where Kevin was Manager at the time.

The main thing I would say about the guy was that when he spoke people listened. He didn't need to shout and scream during his team talks. The blokes at Lynx would be as quiet when he spoke as we did as 14 year old kids. I've got massive respect for the guy as he helped my career a great deal, and he was is a top bloke. If he's reading this or if you know him, pass on my regards

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I send good wishes to a massive hero and most importantly a very close friend a gentleman .

I had the pleasure of working on a voluntary basis with kevin and lots of young boys and girls who wanted to experience the greatest game in the world as part of the mini RL programme .

Osborne if you are reading give Kevin and Tira my best wishes and let him know they are still missed on this side of the world .

Vin Joseph

If he or you wants to get in touch email vin.joseph@salford.gov.uk

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Kia ora. I was only 13 when I saw Kevin tamati stand up for his country, pride & mana in the test match 1985 at lang park.

At a teen age & play'n both rugby codes, I then thought to myself man I wanna be like him. (GO HARD PLAY HARD ATTITUDE).

20yrs later still play'n both codes in Perth Aussie and standing up for my country pride & mana, thanks to my inspirator.

TENA KOE KEV- KA KI TE ANO BRO! AOTEAROHA AKE AKE !

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Kia ora.We'll you all know da say'n ( DA BIGGER THEY ARE, THE HARDER THEY FALL).

No disrespect to you Mr Dowling, but cuz what the hell were you think"n? Fair enough give it a go once, but 2 times, 3 times, f***k, I was only 13 then and what I seen, like many other KIWI/ AUSSIE league FANATIC, was the CUZZIE BRO giv,n you the old 1, 2, 3, 4, more & more & more & more.

Oh we'll at the age of 33, to me it was one of the most memorable rubgy league test matches between NZ & AUST.

All because of that particular moment, because let's face it there cuzzies, there weren't too many moments for us back in those days and when we do get those particular moments we stand proud together and treasure it like many others to come.

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Remember watching a Wire v the pies game at Wilderspool, Wire were attacking the railway end, it was the fifth tackle and the ball was dinked over the top and came to a rest in the in-goal area.

A certain Shaun Edwards retrieved the ball and looked up, ready to run the ball back in to the field of play, only to be faced with the sight of Sir Les Boyd and Kevin Tamati in full flight, ready to put him in to the stand at the railway end.

I think he must have "filled his shorts", as his next move was to throw the ball over his head dead in goal, rather than face taking the tackle from these two giants of the game.

Sir Les has given me some of my fondest memories of the game, memories that i will never forget!

"CHEERS LES"! "TAKE CARE"!

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To add my very special memory of this fine man.

In 1996/97 I was playing for Hull Dockers ARLFC and found ourselves drawn away to Lancashire Lynx in the opening rounds of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup. Their coach at the time was Kevin Tamati. On the long drive over we kept ouselves occupied with a recording of Tamati/Dowling going for it!

As we pulled into the ground several players began to turn pale at the news that Des Drummond was turning out on the wing. Personally I couldn't wait to see how many of us he could still manage to knock out.

Anyway the main part of the story took place in the bar, post game. All the lads put me up to call Kevin over for a chat and sting him with a line.

He came over to a group of around 10 players where I (for a laugh) said "Kevin can you help us all out with a name? We were watching an old Aus/Nz video on the bus and can't remember what the guy who battered you up and down the tunnel was called!"

At that point K.T put down his drink, looked me straight in the eyes and began to lift me off the floor by my collar and tie. (buttons popping under the strain) "Why don't we act it out for your little friends right now and see if that helps them remember" his reply. After a few seconds that seemed to last a lifetime, his face changed from a chilling stone cold stare into a fantastic ear to ear grin. He then over a beer and a torn shirt told me on a one to one the full story of that fight. A story that included history between Dowling and Kevin over that full series.

A personal memory of an all time great I'll take to the grave.

We went in at half time 2 / 4 to the good (I banged over two penalties)Great as amatures to be beating pro's at any stage in the game. Went on to lose 26 / 4. Drummond didn't play but met him in the bar. I went on to sign for Hull KR that season and missed out on making the Challenge Cup Plate Final squad for Rovers against Hunslet due to playing in this game. (cup tied!)

Happy Days!!

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My story is a bit vague with the Tamati Dowling fight as well.

I was at the game with my father and I was 10 years old. Dishead Dowling was one the hardest blokes getting around the BRL at the time, playing for Wynum Manly and was the cornerstone of the Qld Origin pack. He had been dropped for the last test of 85 and was keen on making his mark again with the kiwis.

I'm pretty sure that it was close to half time when the boys were given their marching orders, I can't even remember what the catalyst was. I had a great line of site from a distance as they walked off. I was sitting in the outer on the Hale St end and they were walking off under the stands. They were lipping off at each other and just running into eachother, you could tell by his body language that GD was a bit edgy about Tamati. All of a sudden, one of them, I can't remember which one, threw a mad backhander and cracked the other. What I do remember clearly is that Tamati cut loose and just landed shot after shot on GD. Dish didn't back down and started laying in a few well timed head buts. The problem with this was Tamati was a fair boxer and eventually sized him up again.

It went on for ages and the crowd went beserk, they were throwing eachother into the wire fence and at it like dogs. GD looked like he was going down as Tamati was all over him, but he stayed on his feet and kept going at him.

It was a very full on event and one of the best in Trans-Tasman rivalry. How good would it be to see SBW and O'Melley reignite this in next years square up. Good stuff. .

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You know the one, Dowling and Tamati, wasn't there but you bet i was watching it on T.V. And by far the best fight of all time in my opinion.

I remember the fight on the field, I think it was Blocker or Crusher who was holding KTs arms as Dowling gave him a couple of hooks.

Then the walk off, people say Dowling called KT a "Black C*nt" and pushed KT. Then KT struck with a solid elbow, knocking sweat from the brow of Dowling. Dowling then lead with his head (trying a head butt) but ended up making his self an easy upper cut target, which knocked him to his knees. But this wasn't enough he started throwing mad straight rights all hitting their mark as he rose to his feet. Then more hooks were exchanged as they moved up the sideline and up tunnel where the fight ended out of view from cameras.

Thanks for the memories Kevin, damn good day to be a kiwi.

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I played pro in england in the mid 80s for Salford making my full debut against my home town club Warrington, who were known as the Zoo in that era. At fullback was a brian johnson who was also making his debut for Warrington - but with alot more experience than i.

The Warrington front roy that day would have put fear into any international team. it read Boyd, Tomati, and Jackson(Bob)who I later went on to play with at Warrington.

I recall Alan rathbone being at loose forward on that day also. A little geneous called Andy Gregory was at no 7. Thankfully for us that day Boydy went off early with adead leg - aresult of a mistimed tackle from Roby Mullerwho caught Les on the thigh with his head of all things.

This game of ours isnt all about braun as we know as the star of the day was at 6. on his day this guy was the best in the world and so he proved as he ran in 4 tries that day on 6th Oct 1986. Phil Blake was mercurial that day. In my eyes he was the master of the chip and chase.

Later on in my "career", Brian Johnson went on to be my coach at Warrington. Brian's feelings on the chip and chase were, "Only try it if you knew it was gonna come off!!" We tried a few!

I played with some great Aussie guys over her in England, Mark Wakefield - is he still in Marwillumbah? Brian Battese- one hell of a worker!! the late Geoff Selby - a brilliant future lay ahead for this talented young guy tragically killed in a car accident in 1989. Neil Baker played with Neil in that Warrington game. Watched in awe as he drew a Leeds defence - chipped and regathered on the full and then drew the fullback and cipped and caught on the full and went under the posts. genious!

Greg Mackey- still holds the record for most consecutive matches for Warrington. kept me from making a full debut for Warrington. What he did was tackle well above his weight. A clever player, learned alot from him.

Well it was nice to share some of my favourite moments in my modest career. I have an aweful lot of precious moments from the best game in the world.

Thanks to all those who helped me make em.

Steve Griffiths
ex Salford and Warrington RL

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Kevin Tamati, another legend in the way the word used to mean. Not how it is these days i.e over-used!

I was sixteen years of age and had gone to a sixth form college in Warrington to study for my A levels when I decided to try out for their rugby league team.

Nobody told me though that the coach of the team was the one and only Kevin Tamati!

I think he had a role developing RL in the local area, but personally all I developed was a desire to go home to my mum when he trotted over the whitewash and lined up to play against us.

Here was the man who I had watched make mincemeat out of top flight RL players for years and who we had worshipped as our hero on the terraces of wilderspool, not just for the physical side of his game, but his sublime and often brilliant ball skills as well.

Obviously he wanted to see how us hopefuls "performed", but I was shaking like a sh*tting dog under the high ball that soon came my way thinking foolishly he would come and smash me into the ground.

Obviously he didnt, and we went on to have the pleasure of learning the game from Mr Tamati.

That was until some of the lads got carried away in a local derby match, and the rest is history!

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I watch that fight between Tamati and Dowling on the TV and was amazed. Tamati punched piss out of him and Dowling was no softy (check him out in State of Origin.

In the next test Dowling gave him a wide berth.

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When i was about 19 or 20 my older brother terry was a very good heavyweight boxer in widnes.

Kevin tamati got involved with the boxing club, and used to spar regular with my brother. I used to watch with pride as my brother and my hero knocked ten kinds of shit out of each other.

Every now and again my brother would spar with me making sure not to hurt his kid brother, one day kevin said come on lets go a couple of rounds.

Faced with the chance of boxing with my hero who only knew one speed 100mph, i removed my gloves and got showered as fast as possible.

Kevins a gentelman, but hard nails.

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As a younger brother of k.t.,never got to play with him but the harder/further he went in league,back then the more pride in our home spilled out everywhere.

Sandy(our dad)who kevin got the gentleman tag from, Reagan(our mum)he got the hardman tag from.

Got a call from mum the next morning(brekky's ready) she was worried that all of oz was picking on her boy.

When I arrived dad had a smile as wide as(boxer in his day could have set the foundation?) mum made me track him down after she spoke to him the calls started.

I don't think they ever really stopped.

Hardman - yes, a role model to young people the world over "mo ake ake tonu atu"

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Just to add a few lines to Kevins story.

I met him when i was a small lad, my old fella used to be one of the local bobbies at all the home matches. Grew up being very good friends with his son Damon and played under him at a couple of clubs/colleges (and with John Donno who added an entry above!).

After leaving rugby to taxi drive (god he had so many stories to tell about the antics of a taxi driver!) i used to work with him at xmas in a butchers shop in stockton heath, he also dabbled in the import/export business (god, don't get me started on that! Importing concrete and exporting chicken feet to the chinese).

The last contact i had was through a mate, who said Kevin was now residing back in NZ with his familly (Tira and the kids), being heavily involved in the Maori Rugby Leagues there, and was also coaching the Maori national side on a tour around Australia.

All in all, he is one of the finest blokes i ever met (although when he was eating pigs eye balls in the butchers i did nearly wretch!) and am glad to call him a mate.

Kef

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Hi im kevin tamati's niece but i live australia...Everytime i watch the new zealand v australia in league ,his fight always comes up.

When ever i go 2 the newzealand moari games or any game i always wear his jumpers..some of my teachers at school know him .well i have to go

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My Comments are about Kevin Tamati.

I was interested to read Keith Redman's account of life in a Warrington butcher's shop with Kevin because it reminded me of a story I was told about that very same butcher's shop about 18 years ago.

The chap who told me about it hailed from Warrington and was called Ian Kelly. He had worked as a sports reporter on the Warrington daily newspaper when Kevin was playing for the club.

One day, Ian went into the shop to interview Kevin. As soon as Kevin saw Ian he pulled out a wicked-looking meat cleaver, pulled a haka-type face, roared he was going to chop his head off for what he'd written about him in an earlier article, then proceeded to chase Ian all round the shop. Finally, Kevin burst out laughing and, to his relief, Ian realised KT was just pulling his leg.

Someone else also mentioned Kevin playing for Randwick against Western Suburbs in a Wellington club match around 1986. I was also at that match and was right on the sideline.

There was no love lost between the teams, who were vying for the championship. Randwick had quite a few players who were prison wardens or coppers (including Kiwi Sam Stewart) and Suburbs included a number of players who had spent periods behind bars. The talk before the game was that it would be very tasty.

So it proved. It was obvious from the start that Suburbs were out to goad KT into doing something stupid so that he would be sent off.

Every time he carted the ball up he was gang-tackled and collected elbows, knees . . . the lot. KT never retaliated, he just kept smashing into them.

After one particularly good run, he was decked and treated to another series of cheap shots. One of the Suburbs forwards sneered: "Got you good that time". KT just smiled and said: "Yeah but if you look over your shoulder you'll see we just scored".

While most of the Wests forwards had been busy working him over, he'd slipped a brilliant pass away to set up the try. KT was the one who had the last laugh, too. He stayed on the field, one of the Wests players didn't, and Randwick won the match.

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Like everyone else i too was brought up watching K.T.and thinking what a Bad Ass man he was,but having been married to his 1st cousin for 15yrs and met him personally you get to see the true Kevin.

For those of you that don't know he hails from Bridge Pa. Hastings and after being away in England for 20 odd yrs has come home to pass on his knowledge to our local league comp.theres a saying in life that doors open for you, but it's up to you to take it

so i hope Hawke's Bay league take their chance and look after one of the true icons of H.bay Sport .Today as i post this he is down the park organising our Moari league trials for the tournament on Labour weekend.

So the side i have seen of Kevin Tamati is of Compassion,humility and integrity which after reading some of these stories doesn't sound like the same person but come to the bay and witness a true legend in my eyes and trust i am street savy .

Well to end thanx all you people for writing these moments in time and thanx to Tira for bringing K.t. back to us.Les

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