Star recruit Utoikamanu opens up about Storm move

Star recruit Stefano Utoikamanu is happy to “do a bit of harm” with fellow Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, with the hulking pair headlining one of many NRL’s most formidable front-rows this season.

Utoikamanu has settled in at high-flying Melbourne and was one in all their finest performers of their two pre-season matches, even bagging his first strive in Storm colors.

Asofa-Solomona stays sidelined till spherical three following the five-game ban that noticed him rubbed out of their shedding grand remaining aspect.

However Utoikamanu, who joined the Storm after a stint at struggling Wests Tigers, says he is been studying from the large Kiwi.

“I really feel like I can take some issues out of his sport and add to my sport,” the 24-year-old informed AAP.

“I am already massive and he is greater than me so it is fairly cool that I will get to go on the market and play with him.

“I am excited to do it as a result of I do know we are able to do a bit of harm collectively.”

In addition to the Storm pack, Utoikamanu mentioned one of many points of interest of Melbourne was that they boast a few of the sport’s high gamers throughout many positions which might assist evolve his sport.

Utoikamanu highlighted how getting out of his consolation zone was a major cause for his determination to knock again large cash gives to stay with the Wests Tigers or signal with Canterbury.

“Staying in Sydney might be going to be essentially the most snug for me as a result of I’ve just about all my household there,” mentioned Utoikamanu, whose companion and two younger boys have simply moved to Melbourne.

“I checked out coming right here as being most likely essentially the most uncomfortable as a result of I do not actually have anybody and I believe that is going to place me below strain and make me work a bit more durable.

“While you get snug with being uncomfortable, that is if you attempt in footy so I knew coming right here I will grow to be a greater participant.

“I knew if I needed to get essentially the most out of myself, I most likely wanted to take a little bit of a pay lower.”

Storm skipper Harry Grant mentioned Utoikamanu had put his head down since becoming a member of the membership, and he felt he can be an enormous asset to their line-up.

“He is introduced loads of dimension, and we noticed that on the weekend together with his aggression and physicality,” Grant mentioned of the Samoa ahead.

“One factor I’ve revered and been impressed by is he is simply come right here to work and get higher.

“He is actually purchased into making an attempt to get one of the best out of himself and dealing onerous and needs to let his actions communicate for him.

“In case you try this effectively and for lengthy sufficient, you’ve got bought loads of respect inside the group and he is actually discovered that now.”