80-Point Shootouts & Origin Fears
5/6/20261 hr 3 min
The game is changing… and Gus reckons it’s happening fast.
We kick off with a deep dive into the modern NRL, where speed is up, defence is down, and scorelines are blowing out. We’ve seen 80-point games, record losing scores, and a competition that feels more unpredictable than ever. Is this the new normal… or just a phase?
There’s also a big warning around Origin. If the current style of officiating carries over, Gus says it could get “scary”… with fatigue, injuries, and recovery becoming just as important as tactics.
From there, it’s all the big talking points. The fallout from Gal v Bracey, a PNG discussion, and a strong call that Bula could be a one-club player. Injury concerns for Doueihi, plus the question hanging over Liam Martin and his future at the Panthers.
Gus also backs a Queensland fightback in Women’s Origin, before tackling your questions. Origin selection headaches, the push to “make scrums great again,” and how forward recruitment has changed in today’s faster, more demanding game.
We finish with trivia, a defunct clubs quiz, and a full NRL preview.Six Tackles with Gus State of Origin Game 1 live podcast show is happening at The Locker Room from 2pm before kick off on Wednesday 27th of May. If you want to come along send us your best Ask Gus Question to sixtackles@nine.com.au It’s all thanks to TAB.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMathew Thompson· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Hello, welcome to Six Tackles With Gus. Great to have you with us, and thanks to TAB for their support of the podcast. They're giving the punters plenty to shout about this NRL season. Lots happening in the world of rugby league. A bumper round of games too coming up, round 10 of the competition. Where has it all gone, Gus? It's flown by.
Phil Gould· Host0:19
Certainly has. Matthew Thompson, how you doing?
Mathew Thompson· Host0:21
I'm going well, thanks. It was 12 degrees as I left the front door this morning.
Phil Gould· Host0:24
Now, I noticed that because I'm heading off to Brisbane today. As soon as this podcast's over, I'm jumping on a plane to Brisbane, and I looked up the weather. It was 25, 26 degrees.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:31
Beautiful.
Phil Gould· Host0:32
So I've dressed accordingly.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:33
Mm-hmm.
Phil Gould· Host0:33
I walked out of the house and froze to death getting in here this morning, so.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:36
Didn't leave a jumper in the car?
Phil Gould· Host0:38
I, no, I didn't.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:38
Hmm.
Phil Gould· Host0:39
No, I didn't.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:40
I have a habit of always leaving my jumpers in the car, so I've probably got about seven of them.
Phil Gould· Host0:43
Yeah.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:44
And I can never find them [chuckles] in my wardrobe.
Phil Gould· Host0:46
My, my car used to be full of golf gear.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:48
Hmm.
Phil Gould· Host0:48
Golf clubs and golf balls and tees and- Hmm ... towels and all sorts of things. I'd have to clean it out once every six months just to sit in it.
Mathew Thompson· Host0:56
Yeah. I mean- Do you keep a tidy car? I try to.
Phil Gould· Host1:01
Do you?
Mathew Thompson· Host1:01
But it's a bit of a disgrace at the moment, if I'm being completely honest.
Phil Gould· Host1:04
Wonder how many people keep a tidy car. They say it says something about your personality. My c- I try to, and then I don't.
Mathew Thompson· Host1:11
[laughs] You'd have contracts and all sorts of things.
Phil Gould· Host1:14
I got Channel Nine gear, I got Bulldog gear, I got golf gear.
Mathew Thompson· Host1:18
Footy boots?
Phil Gould· Host1:18
Footy... Yeah, no. [laughs] I stopped wearing footy boots a long time ago.
Mathew Thompson· Host1:21
Yes. Yes. No, I try to keep a tidy car. Doesn't always work out, especially when the kids get in the car. They don't keep a tidy car.
Phil Gould· Host1:29
Well,