Melbourne Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu labels Brisbane Broncos as “stuck up”

“They can think what they think, and we can’t change that. If they’ve got a certain image of us down there, well, we’ll see what happens.”

Utoikamanu, who has been nicknamed “Chef” by his teammates, was praised by coach Craig Bellamy for his play in the second half of the season after he found his place in the Storm lineup.

“The last eight to 10 weeks, I don’t think I’ve seen a better front-rower in the competition,” Bellamy said on Friday night’s preliminary final win over Cronulla.

“He was outstanding and led the way. He’s such a modest guy; he’s a down-to-earth, lovely bloke.”

Whether Bellamy is still as complimentary after Utoikamanu has given the Broncos some bulletin board material remains to be seen.

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Haas played the full 80 minutes in Brisbane’s epic preliminary final against Penrith and carried his team single-handedly at times, finishing bloodied and bruised, but otherwise fine, from one of the great front-row performances.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge, he’s one of the best props in the game, if not the best,” Utoikamanu said.

“You’ve seen his performance on Sunday. He played in the middle, played 80 minutes, and did just about everything to help that team win, and I’m just looking at what I can do to stop him a little bit and how I can use my game to tire him out a little bit.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge, and I think we can get the win here.”

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