Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has backed Stefano Utoikamanu to bounce back in the Pacific Championships after his grand final sledging of the Broncos backfired brutally. The Melbourne Storm forward threw down the gauntlet before Sunday night’s decider when he declared the Broncos players were “stuck up”.
He didn’t exactly back it up with his performance in the grand final, and Reece Walsh was more than happy to stick the boot in after Brisbane’s win. Walsh posted a photo of himself with a sad look on his face after the game, mocking Utoikamanu.
Walsh wrote: “He stuck, we up.” The Clive Churchill medallist was also captured on video mocking Utoikamanu in a huddle of Broncos players in the dressing rooms. Walsh said: “Stefano’s stuck, we’re f***ing up baby!”
Reece Walsh was more than happy to stick the boot in after the Broncos’ triumph. Image: AAP
Thankfully for Utoikamanu he’ll get a shot at redemption when he lines up for Tonga in the Pacific Championships later this month. He’ll go head-to-head with a number of Broncos players, namely Samoa prop Payne Haas.
Speaking on Tuesday, Tonga coach Woolf backed Utoikamanu to fire at international level, but admitted he wouldn’t have advised his pre-game sledging. “I listened to that interview and I thought he maybe could have chosen his words a little bit better,” Woolf said. “I’m sure he’s learned from that. I know Stefano. He’s very humble and actually very quiet. He will fit into our camp really well.”
Haas initially responded to Utoikamanu’s comments by saying: “They can say what they want. We will be out there on Sunday and we’ll see if that’s still going to be thrown around.”
Reece Walsh (L) took a post-game swipe back at Stefano Utoikamanu (far right). Image: Reece Walsh/Getty
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Payne Haas a huge boost for Samoa
Tonga and Samoa will also battle New Zealand in the Pacific Championships, with Australia in England for the Ashes. Haas is the big new name in Samoa’s 21-man squad that also features the likes of Jarome Luai, Blaize Talagi and Brian To’o.
Stephen Crichton is out with injury, but Haas’ inclusion is a massive boost after his defection from the Kangaroos. “I’ve said it a number of times that if you build it, they will come,” coach Ben Gardiner said. “And I think the players are starting to come to join us, because they know it’s professional and it’s the type of environment that they want to be in.
“If you do want to play for our team, you’re committing for the next two years that you’re committing to the World Cup. We’re building a group of people to get to that … do well in the World Cup and win the World Cup final over the next 12 months.
“For Payne to be able to want to represent his heritage and his family … it’s where his heart is at. To have a guy like that in the team, that as a front rower can play 80 minutes if he needs to (is great). But just the inspiration that he brings for the people around him, I think he’s going to bring that inspiration to our team.”
SAMOA SQUAD:
Ata Mariorta, Benaiah Ioelu, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Deine Mariner, Francis Molo, Izack Tago, Jarome Luai, Jaydn Su’A, Jazz Tevaga, Jeremiah Nanai, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Lyhkan King-Togia, Murray Taulagi, Payne Haas, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Simi Sasagi, Taylan May, Terrell May.
TONGA SQUAD:
Paul Alamoti, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Addin Fonua-Blake (capt), Moeaki Fotuaika, Leka Halasima, Siliva Havili, Lehi Hopoate, Eliesa Katoa, Isaiya Katoa, Sione Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Tolu Koula, Isaiah Iongi, Soni Luke, Will Penisini, Jason Taumalolo (capt), Robert Toia, Daniel Tupou, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Siua Wong.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD:
James Fisher-Harris, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown, Erin Clark, Phoenix Crossland, Kieran Foran, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Sebastian Kris, Moses Leota, Jeremy Marshall-King, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali’i, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Matthew Timoko, Naufahu Whyte, Xavier Willison.
with AAP