NZ Warriors wing Marcelo Montoya has quickly forgiven Dolphins rival Anthony Milford for the late tackle that has seen the veteran half suspended for three weeks by the NRL judiciary.
During the second half of the Warriors' 30-8 victory, Milford blindsided Montoya with a hit that send both from the field - one to the sin bin for 10 minutes and the other for a concussion check.
Milford has later charged with dangerous contact and lodged an early guilty plea that will keep him out of action until July 9.
Fortunately, Montoya passed his head injury assessment and returned to the game, and will take his place on the wing against Canberra Raiders on Friday.
"I wasn't too fussed about it," he admitted. "Once I watched it back, I realised it was a bit late, but Milford was a legend... he came up to me and apologised to me on the field, when I came back on from my HIA.
"It was obviously a late hit and he acknowledged that. He was so kind, he came up to me during the game and apologised a few times, so there's no bad feeling there.
"At the end of the day, it's footy - he was just competing hard for his team and I was doing the same."
Ironically, Milford probably gave Montoya a small taste of what he himself had suffered over the years, as opposition defenders rush kickers on the last tackle of a set.
"It made me realise what the halves go through, when they get shot late a few times," said Montoya. "You don't really expect those ones.
"As I said to the boys, if you're taking a carry or making a tackle, you brace for a hit, because you understand what kind of force will come towards you and you can put yourself in a good position.
"With those ones, because you pass the ball, it's more of a shock. For myself, there is more respect for the halves and what they go through."
While Montoya has been cleared to face the Raiders, teammate Rocco Berry was not as fortunate, after he failed an HIA against the Dolphins and is currently under concussion protocols.
Berry was hit with a shoulder charge from Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace, who will also miss three weeks, after an early guilty plea. Warriors rookie Ali Leiataua has been named for a first-grade debut at centre.
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