7th Tackle: Panthers’ Origin Blue with Gus

Is Phil Gould on the same page as his players at Penrith?

Last week he prevented them from wearing green tape in support of their union’s campaign for a percentage share of revenue.

Now higher profile types have expressed their opposition to his criticism of the NSW Origin set-up.

In the rabid wash-up from Origin III a fortnight ago, Gould went as far as saying he didn’t want Penrith players involved in the current system because of cultural concerns.

Josh Mansour and James Tamou are two Panthers who represented the Blues under Laurie Daley last year.

We put Gould’s comments to both players this week.

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While they respected their boss’s opinion, they both made it clear they enjoyed their time under Daley, learned plenty and would gladly go back.

“He actually taught me a lot,” Tamou told us.

“He sees the game differently from other coaches I’ve had, he picks up little things on video that they don’t.”

Don’t be surprised if Daley’s contract is extended for another two years – but with the option to part ways should NSW not win in 2018.