Giant prop Stefano Utoikamanu has strongly denied claims that the hapless Wests Tigers have already given up on their season.
The Tigers have been the major flops of 2023, winless after five rounds and alone at the bottom of the NRL ladder.
The Tigers are in tatters on and off the field, with media and fans having a field day at their expense.
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But a passionate Utoikamanu believes the Tigers have the ability to bounce back – and soon.
“It’s frustrating losing every week and copping it everywhere we go,” 22-year-old Utoikamanu told Wide World of Sports.
“It gets to you but we are trying.
“We’ve played poorly but haven’t lost most games by much – that’s one good thing.
“Our goal every week is to put it all behind us and get a win up the following weekend.
“The media always seems to have a go at us but morale is okay, everyone is fine and we are sticking by each other.
“One win will make a difference. We will surprise a lot of people. We have a good team.”
Utoikamanu, one of the Tigers’ better players this year, also went in to bat for embattled halfback Luke Brooks.
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“For some reason everyone wants to blame Luke when we lose,” he said.
“But it’s a team thing and we all make mistakes.
“What we have to do is brush off the mistakes and get over it and do better.”
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