NZ Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was only doing what any good teammate should, wishing club cobber Mitch Barnett well on his elevation to the Kangaroos squad.
The response set the relationship in its place, at least for the next two months.
"It was funny, I messaged him saying, 'Congrats bro'," chuckled Nicoll-Klokstad. "He goes, 'I'm not your bro'.
"It's definitely put a bit of a tear in the curtain already, but he deserves his opportunity and he's going to take it with both hands. I think you'll see everything he's provided for us at the Warriors.
"Australia have got a good one there."
The Warriors fullback was Player of the Match in last year's Pacific final. (Source: 1News)
Forward Barnett has earned his international call-up on the back of a breakout season at Mt Smart, where he earned the club's coveted Simon Mannering Medal and selection for the victorious NSW State of Origin campaign. He's part of sweeping changes from Aussie coach Mal Meninga, after the world champions were dumped 30-0 by the Kiwis in last year's Pacific Championship final.
New Zealand will be hard pressed defending that crown, with new coach Stacey Jones naming eight debutants in a squad decimated by injury, suspension (Nelson Asofa-Solomona) and code switches (Joe Manu).
While many of their national teammates struggle to recover — physically and mentally — from their NRL playoff commitments, the Warriors contingent — second rower Marata Niukore also features for the Kiwis — should be well rested, after slipping from post-season contention.
Their last game was more than a month ago.
"It was a long break, thank you," reflected Nicoll-Klokstad, who was Player of the Match in last year's Pacific Championship final. "I was sitting at home, starting to get too comfortable on the couch, so back into it and really to be back in this Kiwis space."
Many of those that helped New Zealand to their record defeat of the Kangaroos last year haven't returned to that space, as they recover from a punishing 27-round club schedule, plus playoffs.
After their victory, the Kiwis were unanimous in calling for the re-introduction of a mid-year ANZAC Test and Nicoll-Klokstad goes a step further, suggesting the club season be shortened to accommodate more international league. He suffered a variety of niggles throughout the Warriors campaign and missed seven games, so bypassing the national team was a consideration.
"The body's always sore these days, so it's always something that does cross the mind, but every time you look back on past experiences in the jersey, they're moments you can't let past," said Nicoll-Klokstad.
"Us, as a playing group, are really crying out for more test games, especially during the Origin period. Those ANZAC tests haven't been around for a few years now.
"We feel something like that can bring us back into camp again and bond with each other during the year, not just at the end of the year. It would give everyone a look at a really good brand of footy."
Pressed on the optimum number of club games in an NRL season, Nicoll-Klokstad offered: "Something closer to 20 would be nice, or somewhere between 27 and 20.
"Something less, we'd be grateful."
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