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Storm star Stefano Utoikamanu called out after rogue Broncos taunt goes against Craig Bellamy directive
Storm star Stefano Utoikamanu has gone rogue ahead of Melbourne’s grand final showdown with Brisbane and Craig Bellamy won’t be happy.
Ben Talintyre
September 30, 2025 – 3:52PM
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The NRL world has been left stunned after Storm star Stefano Utoikamanu ignored common practice for a Craig Bellamy side, who insists the talking is done on the field not off it,
by launching an unprompted attack on the Broncos ahead of this weekend’s grand final.
Utoikamanu started the trash talk between the two sides on Monday, labelling the Broncos “stuck up” and boldly declaring he wants to “run over them” in Sydney on Sunday.
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Bellamy has historically urged his players not to engage in a war of words, but Utoikamanu, who is finally starting to make his mark in Melbourne after a move to the club ahead of the 2025 season, was happy to stoke the fire.
“There’s going to be a lot of people I want to run at. There are a lot of people I don’t like in this team. I’m keen to go out there and run someone over,” he said.
“I don’t want to name names but, yeah, there’s a lot of people I think are a bit stuck-up, and I’m pretty keen just to run at and do a job for our team.”
Craig Bellamy prefers low key lead-ups ahead of big games. Image: Getty
His decision to go rogue left club legend Cameron Smith speechless.
Smith said it’s completely out of character for a Bellamy player to do that and believes the master coach would have had a talk to him since.
“He’s lit the fuse, hasn’t he, for an intriguing start to the match,” Smith told the Today show on Tuesday.
“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.
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“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.”
Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith was shocked by the pre-game comments. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Smith says Craig Bellamy would not have been happy with his forward’s comments. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
Queensland legend Corey Parker was bemused about the comments on Tuesday morning, saying Utoikamanu hasn’t earned the right to talk the talk when he hasn’t walked the walk.
“He has lit the flame, had a crack at the Broncos, saying they’re stuck up and do all sorts of things,” Parker said on SEN.
“This does not fit the brand of the Storm. This is not something that you would see Harry, Smith, or any of them do.
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“He’s a great player and in good form, he was terrific last game, best on ground, but he has done absolutely nothing. 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 Bronx!”
The Broncos and Storm will go head-to-head in the NRL grand final on Sunday night.
Read related topics:BrisbaneMelbourne
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