Monday Buzz: Phil Gould’s prediction fail curses Panthers in World Club Challenge
St Helens players jumped onto social media after their remarkable World Club Challenge win over the Panthers to have a crack at five-year planner Phil Gould. Buzz’s highlights and lowlights.
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St Helens chief executive Mike Rush is an outstanding rugby league administrator who has built Saints into a Super League powerhouse with four straight titles.
Years ago Rush applied for the vacant chief executive role at the St George Illawarra Dragons.
He was interviewed by then Dragons chairman Brian Johnston, who ended up giving himself the job.
We hear Rush is still keen on a move from the north of England to Australia. He would be a fantastic acquisition for the NRL in a senior role or any of the 17 clubs.
St Helens are not just a great footy side on the field. They have a fantastic culture and a ‘no dickhead’ policy.
They have done school visits and coaching clinics since arriving in Sydney. It was not their responsibility but the players were keen to get out into the community.
ST HELENS PLAYERS GIVE IT TO GOULD
St Helens players jumped onto social media after their remarkable World Club Challenge win over the Panthers to have a crack at five-year planner Phil Gould.
In the build-up to the game, the great man declared Penrith would be so superior – and that far in front – they would “declare at half-time.”
On Twitter front-rower Alex Walmsley wrote “Get that into you @philgould15”.
Five-eighth Jonny Lomax had a whack too, posting a photo of himself and the trophy with a shoosh gesture.
Gus’ comments were raised in a St Helens team meeting prior to the game.
This isn’t the first time Gus has been way off the mark. Before the opening World Cup match between England and Samoa, he tweeted: “England can’t beat Samoa.” The Poms won 60-6.
Get that into you @PhilGould15 🌚 pic.twitter.com/EgWV0RsT4K
— Alex Walmsley (@engywalmsley) February 18, 2023
Cba finding @PhilGould15 comment to reply. Great team talk pic.twitter.com/j169MVjafr
— Jonny Lomax (@lomax_1990) February 18, 2023
COOK HEATING UP TO WIN BACK REP JERSEYS
Damien Cook loves a challenge. Five months ago he lost his Kangaroos jersey to Queenslanders Harry Grant and Ben Hunt for the World Cup.
He lost his starting position in the NSW Blues side to Api Koroisau.
This year he’ll also have Cowboys hooker Reece Robson bidding for his State of Origin jersey.
Cook showed in Mudgee on Saturday afternoon that he’s up for the fight.
He was probably Souths best player in a strong win over the Dragons.
Cook turns 32 this year but is showing no signs of slowing up.
It’s why the Rabbitohs recently extended his contract until the end of 2025.
HIGHLIGHT
An outstanding World Club Challenge with St Helens winning a thriller in golden point against a Penrith Panthers side minus Dylan Edwards, Api Koroisau and Billy Kikau. To win four Super League titles in succession shows St Helens is one of the best English club sides we’ve ever seen.
LOWLIGHT
The suspension of young Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan for two games for illicit drug use. The 20-year-old was also handed a suspended $5000 fine. Ginnivan was filmed in a toilet cubicle on Australia Day with a white substance. This is a big issue for the AFL and rugby league.
ROOSTER BOOSTER
Roosters CEO Joe Kelly has been appointed to the board of the NSWRL. Kelly is a sharp operator and a popular figure amongst the NRL clubs. He will help improve the fractured relationships between the state body, the clubs and the NRL administration.
SPOTTED
Penrith and Souths bosses Brian Fletcher and Blake Solly have been the NRL’s harshest critics over the CBA negotiations in recent months. On Thursday they both met with independent commission chairman Peter V’landys to sort out their differences. It was a good, positive meeting.
SPOTTED
South Sydney mascot Reggie the Rabbit signing autographs for fans at the Charity Shield in Mudgee on Saturday afternoon.
SPOTTED
Boxing guru Peter Mitrevski was asked to leave the Bondi Boxing Club last week in a no uncertain manner. Local trainer Tony Del Vecchio is preparing his fighter, former world champion TJ Doheny, to fight Mitrevski’s man, the highly rated Sam Goodman on the Tim Tszyu v Tony Harrison undercard on March 12. Mitrevski has been told to stay away until after the fight.
SPOTTED
Dolphins asssitant coach Kristian Woolf sitting in the St Helens coaching box on Saturday night with his old coaching staff as the English champions brought down the Panthers.
BIG BREKKY
Catch you on the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio with Dean Ritchie, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton on Monday morning at 7.10am to discuss all the biggest rugby league issues.
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