Knights coach Adam O’Brien has weighed into the war of words between Willie Mason and Tyson Gamble, labelling the behaviour of the former NRL enforcer “disappointing”.
Mason took to Twitter after the Knights’ 40-10 thrashing at the hands of the Warriors, calling Newcastle’s five-eighth “average” and telling him to “pick ya battles boy”.
“There could not be a bigger hole that Tyson gamble wants to crawl into right now. Pick ya battles boy. You are below average,” Mason wrote.
Watch every game of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Gamble was left reeling when Warriors enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake stepped past him for a first half try, adding to his total of six missed tackles.
O’Brien commented that Gamble didn’t need the criticism from Mason but admitted his five-eighth “wouldn’t have responded” to the initial remark if he “had his time again.”
“The hardest thing is that these young blokes look up to ex-players,” O’Brien told The Daily Telegraph.
“I know Tyson is a competitor. Willie would love to have played in a team with Tyson. He’s tough and he competes. His teammates enjoy playing with him. They love him.
“I just don’t like seeing these barnies in the media.
“It’s something Tyson doesn’t need. Like all the boys. he’s disappointed and flat after the loss.
“He’s been excellent for us. He’s not on a lot of money, in fact bugger all. He’s just goes out there and has a go. It wasn’t Tyson’s fault we were beaten.”
Mason’s public spray comes after the pair traded verbal barbs after he said the Knights had “worst f**king spine in the league” without Kalyn Ponga.
He went on to claim that teams would not be worried about Newcastle’s spine and that rivals wouldn’t do video analysis on Gamble, Phoenix Crossland and Jackson Hastings.
In response, Gamble told AAP his teammates we were aware of Mason’s comments.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Stars pushing for surprise finals return | 00:57
MORE NRL NEWS
THRILLER: Munster magic delivers epic last-minute win after Roosters robbed by ref
STORM RATINGS: Munster lands killer blow as rising star shines; backup No.7 delivers
ROOSTERS RATINGS: Walker’s late heroics not enough; veteran duo’s ill-discipline
‘HORRIBLE DECISION’: Ref’s blatant miss leaves NRL stunned as Storm gifted try
WATCH: ‘Is he from AFL?’ Storm rookie’s incredible matchwinner to clinch prelim
“Me, Jacko and Phoenix all saw it,” Gamble said.
“Everybody’s got an opinion. It’s alright, he should probably worry about his own backyard before he starts worrying about other people.
“He was a middle not a half, so tell him to get f***ed.
“We’re not a team of superstars, we’ve got Kalyn who is the biggest star in the game.
“We’re a team of blokes who do their job and that’s why we’re in the position we’re in.”
Discussion about this post