Phil Gould has poured cold water over the NRL’s plan to bring American athletes into the competition, claiming it would be “too difficult” to make the transition.
The long-time rugby league figure, who is currently in charge of the Bulldogs, was on deck for the NRL combine as part of the game’s weekend in Las Vegas.
A host of athletes were involved in the testing and exhibition program, with four players – two men and two women – announced as the “winners”.
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The male winners, Adam Channel and Marcus D’Acre, have rugby union backgrounds in what would potentially make their switch to the 13-man code a little easier.
Phil Gould was on deck for the NRL Combine in Las Vegas. Getty/NRL
However, according to Gould, there might not be as much upside in attracting those who miss out on NFL contracts to make the move to rugby league.
“There was a lot of physical testing, I went and sat and watched it,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
“I don’t know where a lot of the players were from. It was a good exercise and there were a lot of guys who were really trying, but the testing for our game is a hell of a lot different … so you probably wouldn’t be signing them on testing results.
“Many years ago at the Roosters, we brought out a couple of college athletes who had just missed the draft. They were outstanding athletes – but the nuances of our game were just too difficult. If you could have got them at 15 years of age, different story.
“The games are just too different … even the bloke I spoke to who was a pro [in Vegas] and has a professional career, wouldn’t handle a training session that our blokes do.
“They might be able to play park rugby league – but in the NRL, it’s too big of an ask.”
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It had been speculated that Gould was over in the United States looking for talent, but his comments indicate Canterbury won’t be bringing anyone in from the combine.
Gould did also heap praise on Jarryd Hayne, who made a brief but successful move to the NFL at the peak of his powers, making the 53-man roster for San Francisco.
Jarryd Hayne during his brief NFL career. Getty
“That’s what makes it more incredible what Jarryd Hayne did, to go over there and play an NFL game,” he said.
“I think there’s more opportunities for our guys to play their game.”
More recently, Jordan Mailata – who played junior rugby league for the Rabbitohs – became the first Aussie to play in a winning Super Bowl team, lifting the trophy with the Eagles.
The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the league’s best offensive linemen and is raking in more money than multiple NRL clubs’ salary caps combined.
