Rabbitohs say they are not not scared of Canberra's Josh Papalii 
SOUTH Sydney are determined not to let Canberra hitman Josh Papalii unsettle them as he did Cronulla last week in the Raiders' elimination final win over the Sharks.
Papalii's efforts in getting under the skin of Cronulla captain Paul Gallen at Canberra Stadium played a significant part in extending the Raiders' end of season winning streak to six.
Post-game, Gallen accused Papalii of a "dog shot" after the tough back-rower launched a number of bone-rattling hits on the NSW skipper.
Rabbitohs co-captain Roy Asotasi said his team were aware the Raiders would likely follow similar tactics in Saturday night's semi-final at ANZ Stadium but insisted Souths would not be baited.
"That hit on Gallen, that's just finals football," Asotasi said.
"It is a tough game we play and you just have to expect that. It is a matter how you respond afterwards, we won't be too focused on what Josh will be doing on the weekend, we will just be focused on ourselves."
The Rabbitohs forward pack were outmuscled by a determined Storm outfit in their qualifying final loss and Asotasi said his men realise they need to lift if they are to keep their premiership hopes alive.
"We need to step it up this week, Canberra have got a lot of confidence," Asotasi said.
"After last week's loss you can say the pressure is on us but we are not overly concerned about that, we have to concentrate on what we are doing because there are no second chances.
"Both sides will be looking forward to a big clash. I am probably going to have to stand up a bit more. There are a lot of big guys in the Canberra side and that is the challenge for our forward pack. We didn't do well against the Melbourne Storm and we will be out to prove a point"
English front-rower Sam Burgess said the Rabbitohs couldn't afford to concentrate on what Papalii might bring to the contest.
"We are not worried about him," Burgess said.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/rabbitohs-say-they-are-not-not-scared-of-canberras-josh-papalii/story-fndujljl-1226474044599
Topic: #Rabbitohs Say They Aren't Scared of Papalii, Shot on Gallen "Just Finals Footy"
