Phil Gould lights fuse for State of Origin opener by labelling Queenslanders ‘pumpkin heads’

In a series build-up that has lacked spice amid media bans and a general unwillingness to buy-in to the Origin pantomime, Phil Gould has delivered the Maroons some ammunition after a stinging jab towards Queenslanders.

New South Wales’ greatest Origin coach Phil Gould has lit the fuse for an explosive series after labelling Queenslanders ‘pumpkin heads’ in the lead-up to Wednesday night’s opener.

‘Gus’ Gould has lobbed a grenade into Camp Maroon ahead of the sold-out Suncorp Stadium blockbuster following the stinging jab that is sure to ignite a fire in Billy Slater’s Maroons.

The 2025 State of Origin series build-up has been lacking spice amid media bans and a general unwillingness from players to buy-in to the Origin pantomime.

But Gould has delivered the Maroons some ammunition in a similar fashion to former Blues skipper Paul Gallen’s infamous ”two heads” sledge of Queenslanders in 2014.

In Channel 9’s post-match coverage of the Eels-Sea Eagles game on Friday, Gould was asked about his impending trip to Brisbane for Origin I.

That’s when he delivered the line that will fire up the Maroons.

“They love me in Queensland,” Gould said, tongue-in-cheek.

“They hold a grudge. They’re funny people, Queenslanders, funny people.

“For six weeks a year off goes their head and on goes a pumpkin. Fair dinkum.”

Maroons legend Darren Lockyer, a 36-game Origin representative and Queensland selector, was part of the post-match coverage alongside Blues great Brad Fittler.

Phil Gould, NSW’ greatest ever coach, isn’t afraid to rattle the Queensland cage. Picture: Getty Images

The television network then superimposed a pumpkin image over Lockyer’s head, much to the delight of Fittler and host James Bracey.

That prompted Lockyer to issue the Blues a warning.

“Beware the pumpkin, everyone, beware the pumpkin,” a calm Lockyer said.

“We’ll see you next Wednesday.

“What are you going to bring?”

Gould is regarded as the greatest coach in Blues history, having won six series from eight attempts across two different stints, ending in 2004.

He is a regular of Channel 9’s Origin coverage and is set to get a frosty reception at The Cauldron following his pumpkin jibe.

The Maroons are smarting after losing last year’s series despite winning Game One in Sydney.

They were comfortably beaten 14-4 by the Michael Maguire’s Blues in the decider at Suncorp and failed to score a try.

With Maguire vacating the role to coach the Broncos, Laurie Daley has taken over the Blues.

Daley coached the Blues for five series from 2013-17, winning only one in 2014 when the Blue snapped Queensland’s eight-streak dynasty amid the “two heads” furore.