Kevin Tamati's message was set to match his uncompromising playing style when the former Kiwis forward and several other New Zealand rugby league legends went into the national team's pre-World Cup camp.
Kiwis legend Kevin Tamati. Photo: www.photosport.co.nz
Tamati, Olsen Filipaina and Fred Ah Kuoi were among a group of former players who had joined the Kiwis at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia on Thursday.
As someone who played 22 times for the Kiwis between 1979 and 1985, Tamati takes immense pride in having represented his country.
It comes as little surprise, then, he had been invited to spend time with a Kiwis squad who have their backs to the wall.
"Whether it's going to be spending time with individual players or just with the squad and maybe just few words, which won't be difficult for me, I'm not sure," Tamati told RNZ from his home in Hastings.
"But there will be a lot of motivational content I'm sure is going to be looked at … whether you're prepared to die for the colours, die for the people and die for your country.
"[We need to] motivate them to play their best and do the best they can possibly do."
Tamati didn't need any convincing to take up the invitation to pay a part in the camp, which comes ahead of New Zealand's opening match of the World Cup against Samoa in Auckland next Saturday.
He watched on with disappointment as the Kiwis name took a big hit when captain Jesse Bromwich and senior forward Kevin Proctor were caught buying cocaine just hours after the team's loss to Australia in May's Anzac test in Canberra, resulting in coach David Kidwell not selecting either player for the tournament.
The last-minute defection of several stars to the Tongan team, dealing a sizeable blow to New Zealand's chances of success, also left a bad taste in Tamati's mouth.
But rather than be one of those "stabbing [Kidwell] in the back", Tamati wanted to jump on board and do all he possibly could to help.
It was a decision also influenced by his belief that, despite the absence of senior figures like Bromwich, Proctor, Jason Taumalolo and Kieran Foran, the Kiwis had a squad capable of proving the doubters wrong at the tournament jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
"I'm a strong believer in giving players who want to play for you the opportunity to prove themselves," said Tamati, who has been the chairman of Hawke's Bay Rugby league for the past 10 years.
"Now they have got a squad and the young fellas who have come in can now start believing that they have the opportunity to prove to themselves, their families and the opposition they belong.
"I can damn well guarantee you those young fellas, providing they have the right frame of mind, certainly ain't going to get out there and not deliver. I honestly expect those guys are going to lift their performances to prove they deserved to be there in the first place.
"What better than to have the opportunity to play for your country … in front of your people."
Tamati's time in the Kiwis camp will not be his only involvement with the World Cup.
He has been asked to present the match ball for the quarterfinal match being hosted at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
One of seven New Zealand rugby league legends who will do so at the games being held on these shores, Tamati said he was looking forward to the moment.
"I'm honoured that I've been given the opportunity.
"After leaving the Hawke's Bay and going to live in Wellington after leaving school and then being introduced to rugby league. I certainly owe the opportunities I had [to the game]."
