St Helens' Australian centre Jamie Lyon today brushed aside stinging criticism from Kangaroo legend Peter Sterling over his surprise call-up for the Tri-Nations Series.
The Australian selectors broke with tradition by choosing a British-based player in their Test squad and they have been rebuked by outspoken former Origin coach Phil Gould and ex-Parramatta scrum-half Sterling.
Gould labelled Lyon's call-up "a disgrace" while Sterling said he was "filthy" with the player for walking out on his old club three years ago.
"Jamie Lyon 'duded' Parramatta like you wouldn't believe," Sterling said in a speech at a charity function at the weekend.
"He got 125,000 (£50,000) for an off-season and one game. I don't want him back in the Test side and I don't want him back in the NRL.
"He's had a great season over there but I just think he showed no style or class or grace in the way he left our club."
The 24-year-old Lyon, who will return to Sydney to play for Manly Sea Eagles after Saturday's Super League Grand Final against Hull, said he was aware of Sterling's comments but was happy to ignore them.
"I've never had much to do with him at all and I couldn't really care less."
But when Saints, needing a centre to replace Martin Gleeson, came calling he was given permission by Parramatta to see out his contract in England and has not looked back since.
Twelve months ago he was named Man of Steel after a brilliant first season at Knowsley Road and goes into Saturday's Grand Final at Old Trafford as the leading points scorer in the English game.
A Kangaroo tourist five years ago, he won the last of his five caps in the 2003 Anzac Test and the laid-back Lyon admits a return to the national side was far from his mind.
"I didn't really think too much about it," he said. "I was just over to play good footie and I've done that. I've had two really good years and really enjoyed myself.
"It's definitely a bonus and a bit of a confidence boost. It's nice to know the selectors are thinking about you over here.
Lyon will miss the opening two Tri-Nations matches against the Kiwis but hopes to line up against a St Helens-dominated Great Britain in Sydney on November 4.
"There's quite a few of them in there and they're playing well," he said of his club-mates.
"Hopefully I'm in the team when we play Great Britain. There is a bit of ribbing going on and a few jokes."
Before then, Lyon hopes to sign off from his stint with St Helens by helping them to a fifth Super League title in 11 years and make up for his own Grand Final disappointment with Parramatta in 2001.
"We played Newcastle and got beat," he recalled. "We had a great team and were playing well. We only lost about four games all year, similar to Saints this year, but hopefully we can go one better.
"It would be great to do the double. To get the Challenge Cup was special with the tradition and everything but everyone wants to get the Grand Final as well. It probably is a bit bigger.
"I'm really looking forward to it. It should be a great atmosphere and a great spectacle."