A conspiracy theory behind the real reason Phil Gould refused to share his thoughts on Kalyn Ponga’s State of Origin theory has emerged.
The scene turned suddenly awkward in the Channel 9 studio at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night when the iconic NSW coach bluntly refused to give his thoughts on the controversial subject during a segment with Nine host James Bracey and rugby league legends Brad Fittler and Darren Lockyer.
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Ponga’s send-off with 23 minutes remaining proved the turning point of the match with Queensland commentators and former players blowing up at referee Ashley Klein’s decision to give the fullback his marching orders.
The rugby league guru left Bracey hanging when responding to a question by saying: “James I suggest you ask someone else, rather than me. If you don’t mind.
“I’d like you to keep your job.’’
Code Sports first floated an explanation that Gould may have been muzzled by Channel 9 figures with the network negotiating a new broadcast agreement with the league.
The Australian Financial Review this week reported the NRL is seeking a five year, $4 billion deal, beginning in 2028.
NRL supremo Peter V’landys said recently the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) wants to complete the deal before July 15.
The SMH reports Gould privately did not believe Ponga’s high shot on NSW winger Toluta’u Koula warranted a send off.
The publication reports Gould, the Bulldogs’ football operations boss, felt vocalising his true thoughts “would bring pressure” on Channel 9 and the Bulldogs at a “delicate time” with the network and ARLC in the middle of negotiations.
While Gould was silent, other Channel 9 figures were quick to criticise Ponga’s send-off.
Former Queensland captain Lockyer let his frustrations show.
“I’m still in shock over that Ponga decision, that’s the turning point, there will be a lot of people north of the border that struggle with that decision,” Lockyer said on Channel 9 post-game.
“Brad (Fittler) and I on the sideline, we could hear the thump. I heard the noise and it was sickening from a distance.
“I think Ashley Klein, at the start, when he first (saw) it and heard it, I think he always had this in his mind.
“What I am surprised at, when it went up to the bunker and they’ve reviewed, the bunker was suggesting that it was only 10 minutes. But Ashley Klein didn’t want a bar of it.”
Fittler said as the defender, Ponga had a responsibility not to lead with his shoulder.
“You have full responsibility (when defending)…he had an opportunity to calm down, to slow down,” Fittler said.
“His last action was going into the tackle. His shoulder hit his shoulder and it ended up being a head clash. But the big thing is, whether he should be sent off or not, as a defender you have got the responsibility.
“If you’re going to come into tackles in those situations, you have got full responsibility. You need to be on the negative, on the downside, rather than being aggressive. That’s why he sent him off.”
In an extraordinary twist to follow the game, Ponga was only hit with a Grade 2 shoulder charge in a result that will see him escape suspension.
Koula has entered NRL concussion protocols and will miss the next two rounds for Manly as he recovers from the head knock.
Ponga is just the seventh player in Origin history to be sent off.
