The Canterbury Bulldogs boss is never shy to share his opinions, and Phil Gould has done precisely that following yesterday’s announcement of monster 10-year NRL bans for players (and agents) who sign with the rebel R360 rugby competition that’s set to begin this time next year.
Unlike the ARLC which now appears to have backflipped on its original claims that R360 poses zero threat to the NRL, Gould remains largely unconcerned and feels league bosses have overreacted.
“I’m not sure how many clubs raised concerns with R360, but obviously there’s been enough discussion for the ARLC to react in this manner,” Gould said in a long post on X that also featured an AI generated opinion on the legality of the ARLC move.
“Personally, I feel this has been an overreaction from the Australian Rugby League Commission, I don’t see R360 as a potential threat to its commercial interests.”
MORE: ARLC announces monster suspensions for defecting players amid R360 threat
“If someone wants to go off and play in a different rugby competition, around the world, I don’t think that affects the local market here, I don’t even know there’d be a huge audience for it here in Australia,” he added.
Gould went on to explain he believes the latest move by the ARLC simply provides R360 with ‘cheap promotion’ for its competition.
“How many rugby league players would actually be able to play rugby, would enjoy playing rugby, would enjoy the lifestyle of constantly moving around to different Capital cities around Europe, to play in a rugby competition?” he asked.
“Players with young families I think would be far less likely to consider this lifestyle.”
Gould also suggested R360 will most likely be targeting the bulk of it recruitment efforts on elite rugby union players, not league stars from the NRL.
“To me, the two codes are extremely different at this point in time,” he posted.
“History has shown that rugby league players moving to rugby have never really excelled, it’s only the outside backs that have had any degree of success.
“I think it’s an overreaction and gives R360 more publicity than it deserves.”