Neji only said it becuase it was Hinata, he wouldn't try to kill anyone else, at least, that's how i see it.

he didn't go after Ino even though she pissed him off, he didn't try aim at killing the three sound nins, he wasn't going to kill Naruto and he even spard Kidonumaru (he might have been able to finish him off, if he wanted to).

Sasuke, however, he's one evil bitch, even without the curse seal, he's allways aiming to kill, and when the curse seal is on... just think about poor Zaku.

Neji is cruel and unfriendly, but i can't see him kill anyone without a perrsonal reason, Sasuke however, will probably kill just for the heck of training.