Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Phil Gould NSW selection process criticism has intensified after New South Wales were beaten 44-24 by Queensland in State of Origin Game II at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.
The former New South Wales coach questioned the Blues’ decision-making after Laurie Daley’s side lost control in the second half, leaving the series level before the July 8 decider at Suncorp Stadium.
For more rugby league coverage, read Queensland State of Origin win sets up Suncorp Stadium decider after Cobbo hat-trick. Fans can also follow official series updates through the State of Origin page on NRL.com.
Gould takes aim after Blues collapse
South Sydney forward Cameron Murray started from the bench, while Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses returned straight from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Game I.
“Tonight’s not the night to be looking at selections, alright?” Gould said on Nine post-match.
“We’ve got another two club rounds to get through before they can pick a team.
“And I’ve got some advice for them: stop listening to advice, stop listening to people in the media, stop listening to experts on panels, stop reading papers, and sit down, analyse the game, get a gameplan together and pick a team that can execute the gameplan.
“Very frustrating, our selection process, I’m afraid.”
Pressure builds before Brisbane decider
Brad Fittler replied, “It’s the same as everyone else’s process!”
Gould continued: “Stop taking advice.
“And the more changes we make, the better it is for Queensland.
“Queensland now sit there and laugh because they don’t have to change a thing, they’ve just got to get their players through the next (few weeks), and we’ll panic, we’ll make changes, we’ll bring back blokes that are half fit, we’ll bring blokes that haven’t played football.
“We brought back a bloke (Moses) tonight who hadn’t played for six weeks.
“Stop listening to experts.”
Fittler added: “There’s a lot of noise.”
New South Wales led 12-8 at halftime after Mark Nawaqanitawase impressed early, but Queensland surged clear after the break. Moses missed eight tackles, Dylan Lucas was quiet, and Api Koroisau stayed on the bench while the game slipped away.