Brisbane Broncos great Petero Civoniceva has praised Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu for dropping the politically correct act and sledging his grand final rivals ahead of the biggest match of the year.
Utoikamanu let fly on Monday when he claimed several Broncos were ‘stuck up’ and said he wants to run over the top of them on Sunday night.
The verbal barrage is easily the biggest grand final week barb in more than a decade, in a clear break from the traditionally sanitised build-up from teams.
‘Oh, look, it’s game on, isn’t it?’ Civoniceva told 2GB.
‘I think it’s refreshing, actually, because we don’t get a lot of that kind of talk anymore.
‘I think everyone is so PC [politically correct] and wanting to go with the club lines of just the usual sort of speak – but I think it’s great.
Storm enforcer Stefano Utoikamanu (pictured right) took aim at the Broncos when he said their players were ‘stuck up’ in the lead-up to the grand final
Petero Civoniceva (pictured) backed Utoikamanu for igniting the fuse ahead of the decider and avoiding the usual politically correct, inoffensive chatter fans get from clubs
‘I think it’s really set the tone for what’s going to be such a big, physical confrontation, especially in the middle. I mean, that’s where it’s going to be won.
‘We’ve got the bonus of having Patty Carrigan back from suspension, so that’s gonna be a huge bonus, and we’re gonna need him because it’s gonna be a huge front-row clash and Payne Haas has been in great form.
‘But you look at that Melbourne pack, they’re very impressive, as well.’
Meanwhile, Storm legend Cameron Smith says Craig Bellamy would have been disappointed in Utoikamanu’s sledge, with the prop likely told he now has to back up his words.
‘I think in his mind he was probably thinking “not ideal”,’ Smith said of Bellamy’s likely reaction.
‘Thinking about my time at the Melbourne Storm, it’s a very different squad to when I was playing there.
‘I haven’t been involved for five years now, but I think his message to big Stef would be ‘well you’ve said what you said, now you have to back it up with your actions’.
‘That’s all you can do.’
Broncos prop Payne Haas (pictured) denied that his side was arrogant
Smith’s comments come after fellow Melbourne legend Cooper Cronk suggested on Monday night Bellamy wouldn’t have liked the comments.
Preparing to play in his first grand final, Utoikamanu said he wanted the opening hit-up to ‘run at’ Brisbane because there are a lot of people he doesn’t like in the team.
That prompted an immediate response from Brisbane, with Payne Haas denying his side was arrogant and Shane Webcke labelling it music to the team’s ears.
Smith quipped on Tuesday the Broncos should kick off away from the Storm front-rower ‘just to stir him up a bit more’.
But the five-time grand final-winning hooker said he had no doubt the Melbourne recruit could back up his words at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
Utoikamanu has been Melbourne’s best forward in the finals, with Bellamy labelling the NSW State of Origin representative the form front-rower in the competition.
‘Looking at Stefano’s game against the Sharks (in the preliminary final), I thought he was super impressive,’ Smith said.
‘I thought he was probably one of the top three players on the field that night.
‘Particularly his first stint, he gave the Storm players in the spine some real opportunity to play some footy. He was aggressive.
‘The one thing I know about Stefano is he won’t take a backward step.
‘He is a guy who has come out and made those comments and I think he’ll back it up with his actions.’
Smith was speaking at the NRL’s grand final breakfast, where this year’s premiership rings are unveiled.
The ring is lined with emeralds around the outside, giving off the same green look as minor premiers Canberra’s jersey after their straight-sets finals exit.
Sunday’s grand final is close to a sell out with more than half of tickets sold going to interstate or overseas fans.
