Phil Gould, the most successful coach in State of Origin history, has publicly criticized Queensland hooker Harry Grant, describing his on-field behavior as that of a “cheat” due to his persistent efforts to influence referees during matches. Gould’s remarks came ahead of the third and deciding game of the 2024 State of Origin series, set to take place Wednesday night in Brisbane.

Grant, known for aggressively questioning and challenging refereeing decisions, has become a notable figure for his attempts to pressure officials into awarding favorable calls for Queensland. This approach has not gone unnoticed by New South Wales players, who have acknowledged his tactics during the intense rivalry. The critique sparked an exchange during Nine’s broadcast of 100% Footy involving Gould and former Queensland captain Cam Smith, who defended the practice as longstanding in Origin football. Smith argued that players often try to “keep the referees honest,” a tradition dating back to the inception of the series in 1908.

However, Gould took exception to Smith’s suggestion, stating that while gamesmanship has always been part of Origin, Grant has elevated these tactics to a new level, explicitly calling him a “cheat.” Gould emphasized that such behavior aims to influence decisions not just in the moment but in subsequent rulings, which he views as unsporting.

Responding to the controversy, New South Wales captain Isaah Yeo downplayed the impact of Grant’s conduct, saying he does not particularly notice it during games and believes it does not hinder gameplay. Yeo attributed Gould’s strong opinion to his extensive experience and broader perspective on rugby league.

NSW coach Laurie Daley declined to engage in the debate, affirming confidence in the referees’ performance and stating that the team’s leadership group—including Yeo, Nathan Cleary, and Cameron Murray—handles their responsibilities without external influence. When directly asked if he considered Grant a cheat, Daley refrained from commenting.

Queensland coach Billy Slater, who works alongside Gould as a Channel 9 analyst, expressed skepticism about the interpretation of Gould’s remarks without full context. He defended Grant’s approach and contribution to the team, affirming there are no issues with officiating. Slater characterized Grant’s focus as being on playing football rather than on influencing referees and maintained that building rapport with officials is not as crucial as concentrating on the game itself.

The origin decider will be officiated by referee Ashley Klein. With tensions high and the series on the line, all eyes will be on how players like Grant navigate their interactions with officials in this fiercely contested rivalry.