In this episode of Six Tackles with Gus, Mathew Thompson and Phil "Gus" Gould dive into the final preparations for the historic 2026 NRL season opener in Las Vegas.

Gus shares behind-the-scenes insights into the Bulldogs’ massive logistical undertaking to move their entire staff and roster stateside, the evolving rivalry with the Dragons, and why he believes the Vegas venture is vital for the game's international future.

The duo also analyses the latest player movements - including high-profile signings at the Roosters and Dolphins, and Gus lays out his fearless predictions for the Top 4 contenders and the breakout stars to watch this year.

In this episode of Six Tackles with Gus, Mathew Thompson and Phil "Gus" Gould dive into the final preparations for the historic 2026 NRL season opener in Las Vegas.
Gus shares behind-the-scenes insights into the Bulldogs&rsquo; massive logistical undertaking to move their entire staff and roster stateside, the evolving rivalry with the Dragons, and why he believes the Vegas venture is vital for the game's international future.
The duo also analyses the latest player movements - including high-profile signings at the Roosters and Dolphins, and Gus lays out his fearless predictions for the Top 4 contenders and the breakout stars to watch this year.

League legend Phil 'Gus' Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.

 

League legend Phil 'Gus' Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.
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James Bracey and league legend Phil “Gus” Gould bring you the six biggest issues in Rugby League each week. Released every Wednesday.

Six Tackles With Gus

League legend Gus Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.

League legend Gus Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.

Vegas Bound: Preseason Gains & 2026 Season Predictions

Phil Gould explains why Andrew Johns should seriously consider coaching New South Wales and why the opportunity may not come again.

Gus also weighs in on Tom Trbojevic’s future at Manly, Marcelo Montoya’s immediate retirement, Dean Young taking charge of the Dragons, the growing finals race and whether Penrith are beginning to wobble.

Plus, Gus reviews the biggest bounce-back wins in rugby league history and previews every match of NRL Round 21.

00:00 Round 21, judiciary & Dean Young confirmed as Dragons coach
01:15 Dean Young's vision for the Dragons
04:12 Marcelo Montoya retires immediately
07:20 Could Gus ever do a podcast with his wife?
08:10 Judiciary fallout: Tigers, Rabbitohs & suspensions
09:35 Why Achilles injuries can end seasons
12:05 Are the Raiders still in the finals race?
14:40 Should Manly consider Tom Trbojevic's future?
19:45 The salary cap problem with long-term injuries
24:18 Are Penrith starting to wobble?
26:36 Should Perth panic about recruitment?
28:22 Can PNG build a competitive NRL roster?
30:45 Gus predicted the Dolphins' huge turnaround
35:28 The NRL's most underrated player?
35:58 Ask Gus: Markers, play-the-balls & gamesmanship
39:05 Why the NRL draw is never fair
41:48 Is Cam Munster's Kangaroos spot under threat?
43:52 The biggest hitters in rugby league history
48:24 Should Andrew Johns coach NSW?
49:34 "He probably should do it"
50:56 Why Joey would galvanise the Blues
56:28 Six Tackles Trivia
57:23 Andrew Johns' incredible 34-point game
59:58 NRLW Round 4 preview
1:01:18 Eels vs Panthers
1:02:00 Knights vs Roosters
1:04:12 Rabbitohs vs Storm
1:05:40 Raiders vs Tigers
1:06:18 Bulldogs vs Warriors
1:06:56 Cowboys vs Broncos
1:09:02 Dragons vs Titans
1:11:15 Sea Eagles vs Sharks
1:13:06 Gus' full Round 21 tips
1:14:28 Fritz's Wiener recommendation

Phil Gould explains why Andrew Johns should seriously consider coaching New South Wales and why the opportunity may not come again.
Gus also weighs in on Tom Trbojevic&rsquo;s future at Manly, Marcelo Montoya&rsquo;s immediate retirement, Dean Young taking charge of the Dragons, the growing finals race and whether Penrith are beginning to wobble.
Plus, Gus reviews the biggest bounce-back wins in rugby league history and previews every match of NRL Round 21.
00:00 Round 21, judiciary &amp; Dean Young confirmed as Dragons coach 01:15 Dean Young's vision for the Dragons 04:12 Marcelo Montoya retires immediately 07:20 Could Gus ever do a podcast with his wife? 08:10 Judiciary fallout: Tigers, Rabbitohs &amp; suspensions 09:35 Why Achilles injuries can end seasons 12:05 Are the Raiders still in the finals race? 14:40 Should Manly consider Tom Trbojevic's future? 19:45 The salary cap problem with long-term injuries 24:18 Are Penrith starting to wobble? 26:36 Should Perth panic about recruitment? 28:22 Can PNG build a competitive NRL roster? 30:45 Gus predicted the Dolphins' huge turnaround 35:28 The NRL's most underrated player? 35:58 Ask Gus: Markers, play-the-balls &amp; gamesmanship 39:05 Why the NRL draw is never fair 41:48 Is Cam Munster's Kangaroos spot under threat? 43:52 The biggest hitters in rugby league history 48:24 Should Andrew Johns coach NSW? 49:34 "He probably should do it" 50:56 Why Joey would galvanise the Blues 56:28 Six Tackles Trivia 57:23 Andrew Johns' incredible 34-point game 59:58 NRLW Round 4 preview 1:01:18 Eels vs Panthers 1:02:00 Knights vs Roosters 1:04:12 Rabbitohs vs Storm 1:05:40 Raiders vs Tigers 1:06:18 Bulldogs vs Warriors 1:06:56 Cowboys vs Broncos 1:09:02 Dragons vs Titans 1:11:15 Sea Eagles vs Sharks 1:13:06 Gus' full Round 21 tips 1:14:28 Fritz's Wiener recommendation

Gus Backs Joey to Coach NSW: “He’ll Regret It If He Doesn’t”

With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up.

Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland.

The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers’ decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild.

Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open.

00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover

01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs

04:06 Dolphins’ 66-point defeat and the Sharks’ finals chances

06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton’s neck injury

09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league

10:50 The Open Championship and Gus’s golf tips

11:56 The congested NRL ladder

12:16 Why Nathan Cleary’s critics defy logic

14:19 “He hasn’t peaked yet”: Gus’s huge Cleary prediction

16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround

19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach?

21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young’s Origin impact

23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders?

26:09 Jarome Luai’s one-year move to Parramatta

28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers

30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early

33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call

35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters

37:50 “Let perseverance do its work”

40:01 Parramatta’s improvement and the strength of the competition

41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster?

42:11 Jai Arrow’s emotional birthday fundraiser

43:00 Six Tackles Trivia

45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW

46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos

50:30 Sharks v Knights

51:59 Roosters v Storm

52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs

53:48 Warriors v Dragons

54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers

55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles

56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor

58:43 Gus’s Round 20 tips

59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses?

1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell

With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up.
Gus praises Nathan Cleary&rsquo;s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland.
The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers&rsquo; decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild.
Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open.
00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover
01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs
04:06 Dolphins&rsquo; 66-point defeat and the Sharks&rsquo; finals chances
06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton&rsquo;s neck injury
09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league
10:50 The Open Championship and Gus&rsquo;s golf tips
11:56 The congested NRL ladder
12:16 Why Nathan Cleary&rsquo;s critics defy logic
14:19 &ldquo;He hasn&rsquo;t peaked yet&rdquo;: Gus&rsquo;s huge Cleary prediction
16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround
19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach?
21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young&rsquo;s Origin impact
23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders?
26:09 Jarome Luai&rsquo;s one-year move to Parramatta
28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers
30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early
33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call
35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters
37:50 &ldquo;Let perseverance do its work&rdquo;
40:01 Parramatta&rsquo;s improvement and the strength of the competition
41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster?
42:11 Jai Arrow&rsquo;s emotional birthday fundraiser
43:00 Six Tackles Trivia
45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW
46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos
50:30 Sharks v Knights
51:59 Roosters v Storm
52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs
53:48 Warriors v Dragons
54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles
56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor
58:43 Gus&rsquo;s Round 20 tips
59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses?
1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell

Let Perseverance Do Its Work: Gus Backs the Tigers’ Tough Luai Call

Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle.

Also in this episode:
Why Gus was shocked by Brian To'o being left out
The selection gamble on Jack Bostock
How New South Wales should manage its bench in the biggest game of the year
Why Queensland carries more pressure than people think
Gus' memories of the old Lang Park and coaching Origin deciders in Brisbane
An unexpected live phone call to Emma Lawrence after Gus correctly predicted she was about to start maternity leave
Plus the latest on the NRL ladder, the start of the NRLW season, and your Ask Gus questions.

Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle.
Also in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why Gus was shocked by Brian To'o being left out</li>
<li aria-level="1">The selection gamble on Jack Bostock</li>
<li aria-level="1">How New South Wales should manage its bench in the biggest game of the year</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Queensland carries more pressure than people think</li>
<li aria-level="1">Gus' memories of the old Lang Park and coaching Origin deciders in Brisbane</li>
<li aria-level="1">An unexpected live phone call to Emma Lawrence after Gus correctly predicted she was about to start maternity leave</li>
<li aria-level="1">Plus the latest on the NRL ladder, the start of the NRLW season, and your Ask Gus questions.</li>
</ul>

Vegas Bound: Preseason Gains & 2026 Season Predictions

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