Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell: Phil Gould wants NRL stars banned for season
Phil Gould and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga have savaged Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell, calling for heavy sanctions in the wake of their controversial camping trip.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three strikes: Addo-Carr warned before camping trip
Paul Kent: Players’ selfishness will cost us all
Commentator Phil Gould has called on Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr to be banned for the remainder of the NRL season, while Australian coach Mal Meninga has declared the pair have put their international futures in doubt by breaking COVID-19 rules.
Meninga, who coached the pair at the Kangaroos and tried to recruit Mitchell to the Gold Coast late last year, was brutal in his summation.
“When you look at Latrell’s and Josh’s situation, it actually reeks of distrust,” Meninga told Fox League Live.
“If you can’t trust them and rely on them to do the right thing then they don’t deserve to be a part of the game.”
Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Asked whether it would influence his decision to select Addo-Carr and Mitchell for the Kangaroos in future, Meninga said: “Yes it will, honestly.”
“We’ve set a value system that’s really important. And one of those things is being good role models. When you put a green and gold jersey on you accept the mantle of being a good role model and a leader in our game and the community.
“They have shown they can’t be trusted in that sphere.
Gould said the pair should be suspended for the season.
“They don’t deserve to be playing again this year, simple as that,” Gould told 2GB.
“That might seem harsh but the message has to get through to everybody.
“What they’ve done is highly irresponsible. They’ve put themselves above their teammates, their club and the game. It’s a harsh penalty but these are very difficult times.
“It was uncalled for while we’re on the eve of trying to come back and trying to convince the government we can follow strict protocols.
“It’s hard for the government to give leniency for rugby league to restart when they are asking other groups not to go outdoors, not to gather in groups and not to go to beaches and parks and live a normal life.
“This sort of stuff doesn’t help. It’s not a good look. They don’t deserve to be playing this year.”
MORE NEWS
NRL 2020: Forbes knockout tournament could help save bush footy
Newcastle turned down the chance to sign Greg Inglis as a schoolboy
Gould also said the players should be placed in 14-day isolation before returning to their clubs.
“For the protection of your own club, players, staff and families, you need to isolate the boys from the rest of the group straight away,” he said.
Asked would he try to speak to the pair, Meninga said “Probably not.
“It’s not my responsibility. I would think Melbourne and South Sydney, with their two coaches, Craig (Bellamy) and Wayne (Bennett), they’d be ropeable.”
Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell: Phil Gould wants NRL stars banned for season