‘They’re all very humble’: Grand final beef not spilling into Kangaroos camp
The 26-year-old has joined forces with members of the premiership-winning Panthers team in the green and gold jersey for the 2024 Pacific Championship series.
Mal Meninga opted to appoint two grand final stars to lead the group through the series, with Grant vice-captain to Isaah Yeo.
Club tensions have in the past shifted onto the international stage – most recently with Cameron Munster and Liam Martin – but Grant says he has yet to encounter any issues on the current tour.
“Everything is pretty good to put that past us and move on,” Grant said of his union with Panthers players.
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“You have a game that you have for 80 minutes that you strive to achieve and you’ve got to give them so much respect. If anything, you learn from them, be surrounded by them during the week and see how they go about their business.
“To be honest, they’re all very humble and hard-working good blokes so I don’t think they’re giving us any stick or hard times, just as we wouldn’t be giving them any.”
Grant will wear the No.9 jumper in Australia’s clash against New Zealand on Sunday, a match up in which the green and gold men are out to seek revenge.
The Kangaroos hooker said the team has reflected on the last meeting, in which the Kiwis produced a 30-0 demolition to win last year’s Championships.
“We’ve addressed last year but I don’t think we should be focusing on last year too much,” he said.
“A lot of guys are fresh to the team, fresh to the Test match arena. They’re just really bringing their strengths and thriving in camp.”
The Kiwis will return to the rivalry with several notable changes including the absence Joey Manu, Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown.
A SOS call from coach Stacey Jones saw the return of Shaun Johnson in the No.7 jersey even after his retirement from the NRL.
“It’s more exciting that Shaun Johnson has put his hand up to play for his country,” Grant said.
“(It shows) how much New Zealand and the game of rugby league means to him.
“I think that’s pretty impressive in itself, but we are excited to go up against Shaun in a Test match that’s for sure.”
Carrying injuries from club football, Grant declared the Aussies would not try to exploit the New Zealand halfback.
“No, not at all,” he said.
“He is the highest class player, world class player. You’ve just go to respect what he’s done in the game.”
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