Former Storm captain Cameron Smith said he was staggered by the comments from prop forward Stefano Utoikamanu in the build-up to Sunday night’s grand final against the Broncos.
Utoikamanu, who joined the Storm this season, didn’t hold back when it came to his thoughts on the Broncos’ players.
“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,” Utoikamanu said.
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“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.”
Smith, who captained the Storm to premiership wins in 2012, 2017 and 2020, said it was unusual for players coached by Craig Bellamy to make public statements of that nature.
“He’s lit the fuse, hasn’t he, for an intriguing start to the match,” Smith said on Channel 9’s The Today Show.
“I can’t wait for the first kick off, particularly if the Broncos kick off to the big man, he is going to be coming off the back fence.
“I was a bit surprised because it’s very unlike a Storm player, or a player coached by Craig Bellamy. They tend to like to fly under the radar for a big game like this.
“(Bellamy) has probably had a quiet word to Stefano about his comments. But it’s been said. “What Stefano has to do now is back it up with his actions. I think that will be the message from Craig Bellamy … ‘you can’t let the team down’.
“He will be ready to go. I think he’s going to have a big game.”
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Storm well prepared for Broncos battle | 02:15
The Storm and the Broncos have met in the grand final on only one occasion previously.
That was back in 2006, with the Broncos securing a 15-8 victory, which was Brisbane’s last premiership win.
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