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EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould lashes Trent Robinson's Suaalii defence as war of words erupts
By Simon Brunsdon
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Roosters coach bites back at Gould
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Roosters coach bites back at Gould
Phil Gould has refused to back down from explosive comments about Joseph Suaalii's rugby defection, despite copping heat from Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Gould caused a stir on Monday night when he told Suaalii on Nine's 100% Footy: "Go now. Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. See ya later," in response to the 19-year-old signing a Rugby Australia deal that begins in 2024.
Suaalii remains contracted to the Chooks until the end of next year, and on Wednesday his coach went into bat for him.
"It was a ridiculous comment," Robinson said in response to Gould.
"That was a guy looking after another club (the Bulldogs), (making) a ridiculous comment to say about Joey and what he would do.
"He can stick to his turf and we'll stick to ours and how we want to deal with it.
A war of words has erupted between Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Phil Gould. (Getty)
"It showed a fair bit of fear for me about another code. I really like rugby union and it's OK to say that as a league guy.
https://paid.outbrain.com/network/r...BAkFyjNX2DB7GWSYDJh_yJhz6gPLLY&c=f40718f6&v=4
"We're going to produce players, so don't come out with fearful comments about other codes. Respect both sides of it."
The Robinson comments were put to Gould during Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
"You mistake me for someone who cares what he says," Gould said.
"He can only stick up for his player, and he's got to build a relationship with the player because he's got another 18 months.
"I fear nothing, and I fear no one, so I don't know what he's talking about there.
Gus fires back at Robinson's 'fear' comments
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Gus fires back at Robinson's 'fear' comments
"It is, it's a competition between the codes. You can't get away from that fact.
"I don't care that Trent Robinson loves rugby. I don't love rugby, I don't even watch rugby. I have no interest in it whatsoever."
When Gould had the chance to walk back on his "go now" comments, he instead doubled down and went further into his opinion on the matter
"I think it's a kick in the guts for the Roosters, I really do, and I think they'll be quite upset about it on the inside," he said.
"It means nothing to me, but I'm quite sure it will be a kick in the guts for the people there who have nurtured him and brought him through.
"They can stand there at a press conference and pontificate and shoot the messenger. But the messenger didn't do it, Joseph did.
"What I do have is a concern that when this happens it's an incentive for other players to want to do the same. It's going to blow our market out of the water too. We can't afford to be paying those sort of players $1.6 million (a year).
"Which means, what do we do with these fellas? Do we keep them in the system and spend our time... only to see them, even before they've reached the peak of their career, jump over there because they've got the money to do it?
"I don't want (the NRL) to be a feeder system to anything else. But I've predicted this all along.
"We've got some outstanding young players, we've spent a lot of money, a lot of time, put a lot of emotional effort into the development of young players. It's my passion.
"What I don't want is them thinking, 'Ok that's a stepping stone, because at 21 or 22 when I've made my name I can go and get myself a couple million dollars in rugby'.
"Don't be using rugby league as a stepping stone to that. I don't like that, and I don't believe anyone would."
WATCH AND READ
Roosters coach bites back at Gould
Play Video
Roosters coach bites back at Gould
Phil Gould has refused to back down from explosive comments about Joseph Suaalii's rugby defection, despite copping heat from Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Gould caused a stir on Monday night when he told Suaalii on Nine's 100% Footy: "Go now. Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. See ya later," in response to the 19-year-old signing a Rugby Australia deal that begins in 2024.
Suaalii remains contracted to the Chooks until the end of next year, and on Wednesday his coach went into bat for him.
"It was a ridiculous comment," Robinson said in response to Gould.
"That was a guy looking after another club (the Bulldogs), (making) a ridiculous comment to say about Joey and what he would do.
"He can stick to his turf and we'll stick to ours and how we want to deal with it.
"It showed a fair bit of fear for me about another code. I really like rugby union and it's OK to say that as a league guy.
https://paid.outbrain.com/network/r...BAkFyjNX2DB7GWSYDJh_yJhz6gPLLY&c=f40718f6&v=4
"We're going to produce players, so don't come out with fearful comments about other codes. Respect both sides of it."
The Robinson comments were put to Gould during Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
"You mistake me for someone who cares what he says," Gould said.
"He can only stick up for his player, and he's got to build a relationship with the player because he's got another 18 months.
"I fear nothing, and I fear no one, so I don't know what he's talking about there.
Gus fires back at Robinson's 'fear' comments
Play Video
Gus fires back at Robinson's 'fear' comments
"It is, it's a competition between the codes. You can't get away from that fact.
"I don't care that Trent Robinson loves rugby. I don't love rugby, I don't even watch rugby. I have no interest in it whatsoever."
When Gould had the chance to walk back on his "go now" comments, he instead doubled down and went further into his opinion on the matter
"I think it's a kick in the guts for the Roosters, I really do, and I think they'll be quite upset about it on the inside," he said.
"It means nothing to me, but I'm quite sure it will be a kick in the guts for the people there who have nurtured him and brought him through.
"They can stand there at a press conference and pontificate and shoot the messenger. But the messenger didn't do it, Joseph did.
"What I do have is a concern that when this happens it's an incentive for other players to want to do the same. It's going to blow our market out of the water too. We can't afford to be paying those sort of players $1.6 million (a year).
"Which means, what do we do with these fellas? Do we keep them in the system and spend our time... only to see them, even before they've reached the peak of their career, jump over there because they've got the money to do it?
"I don't want (the NRL) to be a feeder system to anything else. But I've predicted this all along.
"We've got some outstanding young players, we've spent a lot of money, a lot of time, put a lot of emotional effort into the development of young players. It's my passion.
"What I don't want is them thinking, 'Ok that's a stepping stone, because at 21 or 22 when I've made my name I can go and get myself a couple million dollars in rugby'.
"Don't be using rugby league as a stepping stone to that. I don't like that, and I don't believe anyone would."
