Phil Gould’s secret Justin Holbrook meeting as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui poaching plot thickens

Phil Gould has secretly met with axed Titans coach Justin Holbrook in the same week the Bulldogs launched their bid to sign champion forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Phil Gould and Justin Holbrook.

Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has secretly met with former Titans coach Justin Holbrook in the same week the Bulldogs launched a $4 million bid to sign champion Gold Coast forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

This masthead can reveal both Gould and Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo had dinner with Holbrook on Tuesday night in Sydney.

Fa’asuamaleaui is now a free agent because of a clause in his contract that stipulated the deal would be null-and-void if Holbrook was sacked.

The Bulldogs are one of five clubs that have reached out to Holbrook, mindful the former Titans coach’s close association with Fa’asuamaleaui could be a handy bargaining chip in their quest to bring the Queensland Origin star to Belmore.

Holbrook has also been sounded out by two Super League teams, but his preference is to remain in Australia – putting NRL clubs such as the Bulldogs in the box seat for his signature.

It is understood the Bulldogs have yet to table an offer at this stage, but Gould’s meeting with Holbrook is a sign the Canterbury football chief is leaving no stone unturned in his blueprint to give Ciraldo every chance of success.

Phil Gould had a secret meeting with Justin Holbrook. Picture: Getty

Holbrook’s manager Chris Orr confirmed the deposed Titans mentor is being chased by several NRL rivals just three weeks after his shock dismissal at Parkwood.

“Justin is a very talented coach whose services will be in demand,” Orr said.

“Justin is the type of coach that players want to play for which is evident from the reaction of the Titans players.

“I am overseas at present but on my return we will sit down and work our way through Justin’s options.”

The Bulldogs’ secret talks with Holbrook come in the aftermath of revelations Canterbury owner Arthur Laundy is plotting a $4 million poaching raid on the Titans skipper.

Fa’asuamaleaui is said to be bitterly disappointed with the treatment of Holbrook and should his former coach end up at the Bulldogs, it could be a potential lure for the Maroons enforcer.

Justin Holbrook was recently sacked by the Titans. Picture: Getty

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett tried to poach Fa’asuamaleaui 18 months ago and the Titans captain pledged his loyalty to the club on the proviso a get-out clause related to Holbrook was inserted in his Gold Coast upgrade.

The Titans agreed to that request and Fa’asuamaleaui now has the next three months to decide if he will explore interest from Canterbury and Canberra or remain at the Gold Coast.

Holbrook declined to comment when contacted on Wednesday, but told News Corp a fortnight ago he was hoping to remain in the NRL.

“I don’t know what’s next exactly, but I love coaching,” he said.

“When I left Super League, in my last year (in 2019) we finished 16 points clear of second place, which is a record margin in the history of their competition so it will be hard to beat that.

“But I’m happy here (in Australia), I would love to stay in the NRL.”

Gould has also been snapped meeting with off-contract Souths utility Blake Taaffe as the embattled Bulldogs desperately try to climb out of the NRL cellar.

Originally published as Phil Gould’s secret Justin Holbrook meeting as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui poaching plot thickens