Dogs fire Kasiano for Evans re-match

Canterbury players have been winding up teammate Sam Kasiano for his keenly-anticipated rematch with Sydney Roosters counterpart Kane Evans in Friday night’s NRL semi-final.

Evans floored fellow giant prop Kasiano in their last clash back in round 21 with such a spectacular shoulder charge that the NRL tightened its laws on the no-arms tackle method, resulting in nine players being charged over a three-week period.

Bulldogs halfback Moses Mbye says the team have been ribbing the popular front-rower for the return bout with Evans this weekend.

Asked on Wednesday whether they were reminding Kasiano of Evans’ monster hit, Mbye admitted: “Maybe a little bit, maybe a little bit.”

At the time, Kasiano congratulated his counterpart for the shot and led a chorus of those calling for the shoulder charge to remain legal.

The 24-year-old Kasiano played down the return bout at Allianz Stadium, saying that the team simply wanted to keep its premiership aspirations alive.

However he didn’t deny he was looking to exact revenge.

Pressed on the chances of him squaring up the ledger, he said: “I guess we’ll see on Friday.

“I loved it. It was physical, and that’s what we love.”

Mbye said he was also looking forward to the two big boppers re-acquainting themselves on the paddock, but doubted there would be a repeat of the outlawed collision with players unwilling to risk suspension during the finals.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen there. You can’t shoulder charge, so it’ll have to be by the book,” he said.

“It’ll be good. I think Sammy’s got it in the back of his mind what happened last time. I’m sure Kane’s keen to do that again.”

The Roosters led 22-0 in that last encounter before holding off a furious Bulldogs comeback to score an entertaining 38-28 win.

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