COLOURFUL Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo apologised to coach Craig Fitzgibbon for playing up his showdown with Sydney Roosters’ Mark Nawanqanitawase last week.
But after scoring two tries to the rugby union convert’s one in the Sharks’ 20-10 elimination final win on Saturday night, the Kiwi international delivered another outburst – this time aimed at the club’s critics.
On the siren, 25-year-old told Sydney radio station Triple M: “Honestly, all the crap that’s been said on the media about us that kicked us when we were down, stick that up your pipe, bra.
“We love each other, we work hard for each other and our community. No-one gave us a shot down here, no-one. They all came down here thinking it was an easy win.”
Fitzgibbon hadn’t heard about Mulitalo telling AAP “I couldn’t care less what he’s got. It’s me or him next week and that’s all that matters to me” in the lead-up to the game.
Instead, Mulitalo fessed up.
“He felt the pinch of Mark scoring,” Fitzgibbon said after the Sharks’ big win
“He walked up to me and said ‘Craig I said something during the week, I shouldn’t have done it’. I didn’t see it.
“But that’s Ronny. That’s why we love him so much. He’s not scared. If Ronny takes on an opponent, they get him, he’ gets ‘em back. It is what it is.
“He’s combative in that way. He’s also an out-and-out shark. He loves the Sharks. He loves his team-mates. It was a good dual out there.
“I thought Mark played well as well. If you’re fan, you’re watching Ronny and Mark go at it – it’s awesome.”
While Mulitalo told Channel Nine he had a ‘2-1’ advantage over Nawanqanitawase, he was more charitable towards his opponent on radio.
“Mate this is what it’s about: give the fans something to watch. He’s an outstanding athlete,” Mulitalo said.
“To be fair I think he played a better game than me tonight. He contested well with the high ball and he’s got a long, bright future in this game.
“I love playing against guys like that, we get the best out of each other.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
