Melbourne Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu’s comments about Brisbane players being stuck up hasn’t gone down well north of the border, with Broncos legend Corey Parker firing back on radio by suggesting the rep forward has “done absolutely nothing” in the game.
Utoikamanu lit the fuse for grand final week at Melbourne’s main media session on Monday when he revealed his true feelings towards some of the players he’ll be coming up against on Sunday.
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Storm and Broncos already firing shots | 03:30
“I’m going to make sure I set up this week to get that first kick of the game – there are going to be a lot of people I want to run at, a lot of people I don’t like on this team,” he said.
“I’m keen to go out there and run someone over.
“I don’t want to name names, there are a lot of people I think are a bit stuck up. I’m pretty keen just to run out and do a job for our team.”
Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas brushed off the comments when told about them, but Parker – who won the 2006 grand final for Brisbane against the Storm – bit back on radio.
The tireless lock forward praised Utoikamanu for his stellar form in the second half of the season but couldn’t help having a dig at his record in big games, suggesting guys like Harry Grant and Cameron Smith would never make such statements ahead of a grand final.
“He has lit the flame. (He’s) had a crack at the Broncos saying they’re stuck up and do all sorts of things,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“This does not fit the brand of the Storm. This is not something that you would see Harry, Smith any of them do.
“He’s a great player and in good form, he was terrific last game, best on ground, but he has done absolutely nothing. (He) has not won a competition, so bite down on your mouthguard and bottle your emotions.
“He’s played three Origins and won none, two Samoan Tests and won none and yet he’s having a crack at the Broncs.
“I highly doubt this is aimed at Haas, they’re in different stratospheres.
“If your arse is hanging out on Sunday night and you’re playing for the Broncos and he is in your mind … boy, you don’t need to be coming out and saying things like that.
“If you come out and talk the talk, you have to come and walk the walk. He has taken this on.”
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