In 2020, there was talk that the NRL was preparing to buy Super League in a bid to expand their reach and improve the game in the Northern Hemisphere.
The proposed move caused quite a stir and divided opinion much like the IMG proposals.
Now controversial NRL pundit and Canterbury Bulldog’s chief has revealed he pitched that the NRL should but the Super League in the past.
This came as Gould was asked by a fan on Twitter as Super League’s St Helens defeated St George Illawarra Dragons in the Pre-Season Challenge ahead of the World Club Challenge next week against NRL Champions Penrith Panthers.
The fan suggested a radical crossover between NRL and Super League asking Gould: “What do you think about merging NRL and Super League and having 2 divisions? 14 in each, promotion / relegation?”
Responding to this on Twitter, Gould revealed he recommended that NRL bought the Super League at the ALR commission in 2020.
He said: “No. But I do think the NRL should buy the UK league. In fact I recommended that to the ARL Commission in 2020.”
This comes as he questions St Helens’ chances against Penrith next week.
He said:
He said when asked “Panthers by how many?”: “They should be able to declare by half time.”
They should be able to declare by half time … https://t.co/8FFVxQQxBs
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) February 11, 2023
A bold statement to say at the expense of Super League’s four time reigning Champions who have built a dynasty like nothing else seen in the world of modern rugby league.
Gould made headlines in the World Cup when he said England “can’t” beat Samoa in the World Cup only for England to defeat Samoa 60-6.
However, he was eventually proved right when Samoa beat England in the semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium.
