‘We have culture too’, says in-demand Kangaroo
Murray Wenzel |
Jack Bostock expects similar pre-game scenes after his up-close Samoan encounter as the Dolphins flyer attempts to cap a dream year with a World Cup title.
The Kangaroos rookie has scored seven tries in four Tests entering Sunday’s decider against New Zealand in Brisbane.
But it was his in-your-face pre-game encounter with Samoa’s Jazz Tevaga that provided arguably the moment of the tournament on the weekend.
Tevaga locked in on the much taller Bostock during Samoa’s emotional siva tau pre-game ceremony, and the Kangaroo didn’t flinch.
He expects similar from New Zealand in their haka on Sunday but said his men were just as proud to wear the green and gold.
“The stakes are higher, so emotions are going to be higher,” he said
“There’s probably been a little bit question on our culture and stuff like that. But we all know what we stand for.
“We might not have a cultural dance as such, but doesn’t mean that we don’t have culture within the group.
“We know what we’re here to play for, and I feel like that showed on Sunday night.”
Bostock made his State of Origin debut in the deciding third game for the victorious NSW this year and the centre has lit it up for the Kangaroos in his first taste of international rugby league.
“I haven’t really had time to reflect on it; it’s just been great, ticking off some goals that I’ve wanted to do when I was a kid,” he said.
“But there’s still one more game to get.”
Asked again about his future, Bostock joked he’d be on a three or four game rotation through every NRL club based on the apparent demand for his services.
But while free to discuss his future beyond next season, he insists he’s still a chance to remain at Redcliffe beyond 2027.
“Apparently every club I’m going to … maybe I’ll play three or four games at each club in 2028,” he joked.
“I’ve seen like a lot of people have sort of jumped to the conclusion … pencilled in that I’m leaving the Dolphins.
“It’s definitely not the case. There’s still obviously discussions to be had there, and yeah, that’ll happen after World Cup.”
AAP