South Sydney veteran Roy Asotasi claims fellow prop Jeff Lima won’t be changing his game in light of suggestions he could be a target for retribution from the Manly pack in Friday night’s NRL preliminary final.
Lima left Sea Eagles players, coaches and fans seething after his leg twist on Manly back-rower Anthony Watmough during the teams’ last meeting in round 23 – his actions seen as a deliberate test of Watmough’s injured knee.
Watmough was sidelined for two weeks following the incident for which Lima copped a one-game ban, with talk out of the Manly camp that there could be payback on Friday night.
But Asotasi said the Rabbitohs – including Lima – would be focused on football.
“Jeff wont be changing the way he plays,” Asotasi said at Rabbitohs training held at a sun-drenched Clovelly Beach.
“He had a great game against Melbourne last game and that’s all we expect from him, to go out there and do what he needs to do.
“I don’t think he is a dirty player.”
Having dominated the regular season along with bitter rivals Sydney Roosters, Asotasi said the Bunnies were fully aware that it was now sudden-death, having bowed out at the same stage last season.
“Last year we fell short of the grand final, that’s why we’re not getting too far ahead (of ourselves),” he said.
“All it takes is 80 minutes and it could be all over.”
Sea Eagles prop George Rose maintained there was no bad blood over Lima’s leg pull, insisting his side wasn’t not looking to avenge the incident.
“No, no payback,” Rose told Sky Sports Radio on Monday.
“I think we’ve got bigger things to worry about than that.
“We’re just competitive sides. Both teams are so close to each other in the talent stakes, it’s always a close battle every time we play.
“We’re going to do whatever we can to win and they’re going to do the same thing.
“Saying that, we probably wouldn’t do what happened to Choccy.
“We’re just going to bust our backsides to win this game.”
Ra
Guest
Hey ! Nothing wrong with mum. Mum is Yum !
MMADoggzofwar
Roar Rookie
no arguement there Joe. WE WUZ MUD
Joe
Guest
The burger boys were flattened by Matai last time , it's why they bring there mum to the games now ,
MMADoggzofwar
Roar Rookie
its a funny game our is...I think that Manly are the goods and in some form but the bunnies will deal to them this weekend..the roosters are top notch and by all posts should be premiers come Oct but the knights will have something to say..they have prep'd for all the likely candidates (my Doggies, Titans, Panthers, Broncos and the usual candidates in the top 8) but the are they ready for the knights and Master coach Bennett? If wayne Bennett can turn the Kiwis into the world champs he sure as heck can turn a bunch of raggedy ole "cant put the ball down properly" players into champs as long as they buy into the system..
Joe
Guest
Dogs played like girlies against Newy two weeks ago , don't expect either of the 4 left to lower themselves to that standard
oikee
Guest
I hope their is payback, if one thing i want to happen, is for Manly to fire up the Burgess boys, once that happens, Manly will be in a world of hurt. Moon Doggy, I just read today Lyon saying that Souths are soft little girls, and he going to make a nice rabbit stew out of those soft Burgess boys. What did he call the Burga boys, white, lilly white Rabbits. hehe
MMADoggzofwar
Roar Rookie
what a bunch of sooks... how many other guys have and are doing the same type of tackle? only reason Lima got pulled up for it was that it was on "Wat-Huh?"mough and his precious knee.. PLEASE any other lower profile player and no one would have cared. The same type of tackle that looks to attack the leg to bring the player whilst being held is happening all over the joint. Manly should be thankful Lima's playing because he's mud anyway
Joe
Guest
And the blind side shoulder charge on Craig Young wasn't cheap was it Aaron , you and Souths need some cement
aaron
Guest
people need to watch when souths played at brookvale inglis got spear tackled twice stewart elbowing everingham in the jaw who played dirty that night
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah but it was a kind of "team america" necessary evil.
aaron
Guest
manly need to get over it what about what manly did to greg inglis at brookvale
Joe
Guest
Roy , what are you doing, there's video evidence that contradicts what your implying , even Hollywood can't doctor this one
tooveys right hand
Guest
He also came out and said Sammy boy wasn't a grub...