South Sydney players shied away from firing shots at former coach Anthony Seibold this week, but star hooker Damien Cook says he loves the rivalry emerging between the two NRL clubs.
Cook has previously credited coach Seibold for developing him into a State of Origin hooker but he won’t have any sympathy for his former mentor when Brisbane meet Souths at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Since Wayne Bennett and Seibold switched clubs in a messy deal at the end of 2018, a fascinating grudge between the two powerhouse sides has blossomed.
And while his teammates have been reluctant to feed into the growing rivalry between the two coaches, on Tuesday Cook said he loved it.
Asked if he had taken the opportunity to stir Bennett up about Friday’s clash against his former club, Cook joked: “It’s a long week still and there’s a few days of training so we’ll see how we go.
“I love that part of it, I love when (the media) find two things that connect the teams together and put a bit of a rivalry behind it and make it a grudge match to pump that game up even more.
“It’s what the fans want and I’m all for it.”
It’s a personal battle for Bennett who just last month was forced to publicly deny he had left the Brisbane roster in ruins when he was sacked at the end of 2018.
Bennett then took aim at Seibold, saying the roster is full of Test and State of Origin quality players who are not performing at their best.
And although the Broncos are second from bottom on the ladder, Cook agrees.
“There’s a couple of teams sitting down the bottom of the ladder, they’re still quality football sides,” he said.
“There’s got to be some teams at the top and some at the bottom, it’s just the way it goes.”
“We’ve got to make sure we respect them this week. I don’t feel sorry for other teams, we’ve got to worry about what we’re doing here.”
The Rabbitohs are currently sitting on the edge of the top eight after a mixed run of form and are desperate for a big win to avenge their round-two loss to the Broncos.
However, they will have to do it without in-form second-rower Jaydn Su’a, who was found guilty of dangerous contact at the NRL Judiciary on Tuesday night and will miss one game.
Adam
Roar Guru
Currently one of their 3 wins for this season too :shocked:
Nat
Roar Rookie
Geez you boys are more confident than me. Didn't back them last week and won't until they can show some type of consistency to be in the fight.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It’ll be a good game and close game, the Bunnies have to start strong and not the weak starts that they have had! Let’s see what happens but I love the contest and the grudges that’s built between us, as we’ve had no great results against the Donks oh sorry Broncs so lets see what happens lol
Albo
Roar Rookie
They got me too, Barry. Maybe I went off a week too soon ? Fifita is a big in for the Bronco's this week , whilst Su'a is a big out for the Bunnies ? Not sure who benefits from Milford being out ? Doubt there will be much in this one. Maybe ANZ holds the key for the locals ?
kk
Roar Pro
On the edge all right. A Broncos win leaves Souths needing six wins from the next seven games. The camera will probably find both coaches as often as their players. The 6 again restarts: reason, time, position on paddock and consequences may come under closer scrutiny than usual as will the forward pass which has evaded prosecution of late.
Tony
Roar Guru
I made the unfortunate mistake of tipping a Broncos' resurgence and victory last week. It won't happen again. Souths should have too much in attack for Brisbane.