Time heals all wounds - even those inflicted by rampaging Tongan-Kiwi forwards who weigh 113 kilograms.
Kiwis boss David Kidwell has made his first attempt at burying the hatchet with defector Jason Taumalolo, saying he'd be happy to chat with the Mate Ma'a lock after Saturday's Rugby League World Cup clash in Hamilton.
In a last-minute move that sent shockwaves through Kidwell's camp, the Auckland-born Taumalolo turned his back on the Kiwis for this year's Cup.
He instead chose to represent his motherland of Tonga, as part of a professed attempt to grow rugby league in the Polynesian nation.
Kidwell was incensed and blindsided by Taumalolo's decision in its immediate aftermath but has since mellowed - in part, most likely, due to his side's two dominant pool victories over Samoa and Scotland.
He'd be more than willing to speak with Taumalolo - as well as fellow defectors David Fusitu'a, Manu Ma'u and Sio Siua Taukeiaho - post-match.
"You know, time heals I suppose. Jason's playing for Tonga and we've got guys playing for New Zealand. If the opportunity arises and I get the chance to talk to him, 100 per cent I will," Kidwell told reporters.
"We just have to focus on us - our energy, and where that needs to be."
Kidwell admitted to being impressed by the efforts of Mate Ma'a in their opening two games, sweeping aside Scotland 50-4 and Toa Samoa 32-18.
His Kiwis would approach the Pool B crunch match in their usual way, without any extra animosity or fire in the belly, but would nevertheless remain on high alert for Taumalolo's indefatigable running game.
The 24-year-old has made a combined 366 Cup metres with ball-in-hand.
"It's about limiting his metres," Kidwell said.
"He's obviously the form forward in the game.
"We're nice and relaxed, not tapping into any emotion or anything - just preparing the way we have been for the last three weeks."
