Phil Gould’s stirring start to new job at New Zealand Warriors

Phil Gould has made an immediate impact in his latest job, described as “inspirational”, “exciting” and “emotional”.

Television commentator Phil Gould is seen during the Round 22 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, August 16, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Phil Gould and Nathan Brown’s quest to wake the NRL’s sleeping giant has well and truly begun as the Warriors aim to put a quarter of a century of underachievement behind them.

With the playing group currently based out of Tamworth, Gould travelled to the country music capital last week and delivered a moving speech to Brown’s charges.

“He gave this inspirational talk about the opportunity we have and how we have all this time and how we should take it,” said new recruit Kane Evans.

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“He was talking about the legacy of this club too and how we can take it from being mediocre to taking the whole organisation up there with the best and keep it there for the next 10 to 20 years.

Phil Gould has made an immediate impression at the Warriors.

“Everyone had that fire in their belly after. Some boys were emotional, some boys were just fired up to do their best.

“He brought up some stats how the Warriors average coming 10th over the last 10 years, hearing stats like that and with his inspirational talk after, everyone was fired up.

“It was exciting, I can’t wait to play.”

Gould joined the club as a consultant over the off-season with a view to revamping the perennial underachievers, who have made the finals just once since 2012.

New Warriors coach Nathan Brown will work closely with Phil Gould.

Evans helps lead a massive recruitment drive with fellow big men Addin Fonua-Blake, Bayley Sironen and Ben Murdoch-Masila also joining the club for 2021, as well as centre Euan Aitken and winger Marcelo Montoya.

Despite having offers from several clubs on the table, Evans opted to join Brown and Gould’s New Zealand revolution due in no small part to his admiration for the fight the Warriors showed in playing all of last season away from home.

Kane Evans is a key recruit for the Warriors. Picture: NRL Photos

“I had a few offers, but seeing the potential the Warriors have and being able to give my service to try and better this club, I took it as a challenge,” Evans said.

“I wanted to be part of it, I know it’s going to be something special. The goal isn’t just for the year coming, it’s to make this club a great club for the next few years.

“I’ve always had a respect for the club but especially what they went through last year. It just showed me how much heart they have.

“They call it mana over here, and it showed me how much mana they had and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Originally published as Phil Gould’s stirring start to new job at New Zealand Warriors