Former NSW coach Phil Gould has denied advising Brad Fittler on specific team selections but admits he shared his general coaching philosophy with the Blues boss.
As NSW prepare to go into Sunday night’s must win Origin II in Perth, Gus opened up on a discussion he had with Fittler after the game one loss in Brisbane.
In doing so, he laid to respect speculation he told Fittler to get rid of under-performing players, specifically centre Latrell Mitchell.
“My only advice to (Fittler) was this: ‘If you pick the same players and sent them around again, the pressure will be on the players to improve and perform’,” Gould wrote in his weekly column for Fairfax Media.
“If you leave players out and makes changes, the pressure will be on you.
“Immediately he replied: ‘I’m the coach, that’s my responsibility. That’s what I signed up for’.”
Mitchell, Josh Morris, Angus Crichton and Cody Walker were all dumped following the Blues’ 18-14 loss to Queensland earlier this month.
Three other players were not considered due to injury.
James Maloney, Blake Ferguson, Tom Trbojevic, Dale Finucane, Daniel Saifiti, Tariq Sims and Wade Graham have all been drafted into the side for game two before a sell-out crowd in Perth.
“If Fittler sent the same team around in Origin II, maybe they would improve,” Gould wrote.
“Maybe they would win. However, Origin is not about ‘maybes.
“Fittler has picked the team he thinks can win for NSW. That’s his job.
“Win, lose or draw, it’s been a courageous and thoughtful campaign.
“I believe he’s given the Blues their best chance of victory.”