EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould cautions against 'premature' calls for Kangaroos bolter
Phil Gould believes the Kangaroos potentially picking utility Tyran Wishart would be "premature" and instead urged selectors to blood Connor Watson next month.
With the end-of-year Pacific Championships on the horizon, head coach Mal Meninga has some major decisions to make before picking his Australian squad.
One of the most hotly-contested roles will be the No.14 jumper, which has belonged to Ben Hunt for a number of years given his ability to cover halves and hooker.
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But with the emergence of Watson this season, Gould hopes to see the Kangaroos move in a new direction and reward those players who feature in the finals.
Connor Watson made his Origin debut this year. Quinn Rooney via Getty Images
"They should be picked from those playing in the big games at the end of the year," he said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.
"They've got the form on the board and Watson proved his worth in Origin. He missed game one due to injury, but he got there for games two and three, which they won.
"He's a very versatile type of player, he can play in any position and particularly in the key positions, he is a great back up. They are invaluable and I think he would be an inspired choice and it would be a wonderful achievement for him.
"He had a terrible time with injury … he really struggled with that."
Gould also detailed his negotiations with Watson, who was on the outer at the Roosters after missing an extended period due to a knee injury, before eventually re-signing with the club and becoming a regular fixture in the 2024 campaign.
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The other potential utility option for Meninga and the selectors is Wishart, who has come on in leaps and bounds this year at Melbourne.
Tyran Wishart has become a vital member of the Storm squad. Getty
However, with just 53 appearances to his name in the top grade, Gould is hopeful the 24-year-old can be afforded more time to develop before earning rep honours.
"I think that's premature, I think another season maybe before you do that," he said.
"It could come down to availability and who is fit and ready to play. He's playing with the Melbourne Storm, they are gonna go to a grand final and he is gonna be a major part of it and he can play a number of positions.
"He is a very good ball runner, he is very deceptive and he's willing. If it happens, I won't say it's the wrong thing to do and I won't knock it at all.
"I just think it's a little bit too premature. If they did play him, he'll do a wonderful job."
