Brisbane is refusing to enter a pre-NRL grand closing sledging match with Stefano Utoikamanu after the Melbourne Storm prop described Broncos gamers as “caught up”.
Utoikamanu lit the fuse for Sunday’s grand closing at Stadium Australia earlier this week when he implied members of Brisbane’s squad had been boastful.
The often mild-mannered Storm front-rower additionally stated he couldn’t wait to “run over” Broncos gamers.
It stays unclear who Utoikamanu was referring to together with his feedback, however the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam have beforehand been accused by critics of getting a ‘rockstar’ angle.
Walsh, Mam and Utoikamanu had been booed by supporters at grand-final fan day at Sydney’s Round Quay on Thursday.
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire, who labored with Utoikamanu at Wests Tigers, has made some extent of defending his gamers’ character.
He stated Utoikamanu’s feedback would largely go unnoticed.
“My gamers have gotten their very own motivations,” Maguire advised reporters.
“They have been very dialled in for the final couple of months.
“We have actually targeted much more on ourselves and something that goes on round us.
“I believe that is one of many the reason why we’re the place we’re. I do know that the gamers will try this and can simply work exhausting collectively.”
Patrick Carrigan is getting back from suspension for the Broncos. (Getty Photos: Ian Hitchcock)
Patrick Carrigan, who has returned to Maguire’s beginning facet after lacking the preliminary-final win over Penrith with suspension, stated the Broncos took Utoikamanu’s barb with a grain of salt.
“It would not actually trouble me, I believe it is all the time a part of life,” he stated.
“Individuals say and take into consideration you what they need.
“I simply know that I really like taking part in footy with these boys and turning up every single day and dealing exhausting.
“We all know that we have got a job to do and that is about locking into our function and taking part in our model of footy.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy stated he was “shocked” by Utoikamanu’s feedback as he seems to steer the membership to their first premiership within the post-Cameron Smith period.
AAP
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