The Kiwis spent over an hour signing autographs at an organised promotion at a Brisbane shopping mall last week but left before a mother and three children arrived hoping to see their heroes. A Kiwis staffer heard of their disappointment and arranged for them to go to the team hotelwhere the Mad Butcher presented them with Kiwis flags and posters. Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson made the effort to come down from their room to sign autographs and pose for photos, while Kodi Nikorima and Adam Blair - who was visiting - also made a good impression.
DWZ all class Kiwis youngster Dallin Watene-Zelezniak showed his class when approached for an autograph by a young Papua New Guinea fan during the build-up to the Anzac test in Brisbane last week. DWZ was more than happy to oblige but when the fan was without a pen or any paper, the 19-year-old took him into the nearest sports store, bought a Kiwis jersey, signed it and handed it on. Team officials were keen to snap a picture of the pair but DWZ declined, not wanting to make any fuss.
Tidy payday There were plenty of happy faces around the Kiwis' hotel on Monday, including a concierge who backed the boys in black with a couple of astute wagers through Ladbrokes betting agency. Having backed the Kiwis to win by 12+ and Manu Vatuvei to score two tries, the lucky punter enjoyed a tidy $1000 payday.
Lip lock forces error Wigan forward Liam Farrell sent social media into meltdown on Sunday when he forced an error from Hull KR winger Ben Cockayne with - wait for it - a kiss on the lips. Farrell's commitment to doing everything he could for his side is admirable, considering Wigan held a 60-0 lead when he puckered up to his opponent six minutes from fulltime.
Farrell completed a dominant tackle before planting one on Cockayne, who promptly lost possession of the football while he wrestled with the defenders as well as a range of mixed emotions.
Running through brick walls Competition is heating up for a place in the new reality TV show The NRL Rookie, with promising players submitting their audition tapes showcasing their skills and ability. One tough nut, David Andjelz, from Sydney's west, showed he was made of the right stuff with a clip of him running the ball up and charging through a makeshift brick wall.
Mother's Day covered Warriors skipper Simon Mannering had media chuckling when he responded to a light-hearted question about his toddler son organising a Mother's Day present for Sunday. "He's got it covered," Mannering replied. "I've got something for my mum so he'd better get something for his. I'll help him out ... It won't be anything special but we'll get something."
