Set of six: Butterbean turns the other cheek

Carlos Tuimavave of the Warriors. Photo / Photosport

Which Kiwis international recently engaged in a public slanging match with boxer David "Butterbean" Letele? Fortunately cooler heads prevailed, but the situation could easily have escalated. The footballer is one tough cowboy, but I'm told on good authority that he was the instigator and had too much to say for himself. A Fight for Life bout between the pair would make terrific viewing.

Mannering fronts up
Warriors captain Simon Mannering took a day off training to fly to Sydney for the launch of the new NRL promotional ad last week. He was in Australia for less than four hours, but fulfilled his obligations with players from 14 other clubs. He could only chuckle on hearing that Cowboys captain Matt Scott would not be attending after suffering a back injury the night before which prevented him from flying down from Townsville.

Boyd loving life
Also in attendance at the ad launch was injured Broncos wing Darius Boyd, who surprised reporters just by being there. Less than a year ago, wild horses couldn't have dragged him along to a media gathering, but the 27-year-old admitted he was enjoying a fresh outlook on life and footy. "Things have been different for me the last six months," Boyd said. "The game's been great to me. I want to help out and give back. I wish I had done it five or 10 years ago."

Former bad boy up to old tricks
One leading NRL playmaker with a history of off-field dramas raised eyebrows with his drunken state on the Sunday night after the Auckland Nines last month. The player has supposedly turned over a new leaf but appeared to have returned to his bad old ways when he unnecessarily shoved past two Herald journos while letting fly with a few slurred expletives. Hopefully it was a one-off and the only stories he features in this season are football-related.

Former greats to dust off the boots
Past NRL greats will be dusting off their boots again this weekend when they represent the Men of League All Stars as part of the NRL Masters Carnival on the Gold Coast.

Former Warriors' enforcer Kevin Campion and hooker PJ Marsh will feature alongside Petero Civoniceva, Ben Ross, Dale Shearer and Scott Sattler in today's match against the Runaway Bay Old Boys.

Tuimavave settling in with Knights
Former Warrior and new Knights recruit Carlos Tuimavave (pictured) has been making a good impression since joining Newcastle over the off-season.

"I've been really impressed with Carlos," said captain Kurt Gidley. "He's a great young fella and can hold a conversation really well. He's been training strongly and I'm impressed with his skills."

The versatile back suffered an ankle injury at the Nines but is expected to be in the frame for selection for round two.