Former Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has opened up about his brutal axing by new Eels coach Jason Ryles as he targets an NRL premiership swan song on the Gold Coast.
‘RCG’ was officially unveiled in Titans colours at the picturesque Broadbeach on Friday after completing his first pre-season session under Des Hasler.
Campbell-Gillard departed the Eels last month following five seasons in the Blue and Gold Army after securing a three-year contract with the Titans.
Bizarrely, his departure came with a year to run on his Eels contract and after he had been crowned Parramatta’s player of the year in 2024.
Campbell-Gillard was hardly in poor form, having featured in every game for the Eels during a disastrous campaign in which coach Brad Arthur was sacked and they finished 15th.
But his performances were not enough to impress incoming mentor Ryles, who has farewelled Campbell-Gillard and club legend Clint Gutherson in the space of a few weeks as he looks to transform the west.
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a45143239e7db121aa4f93d54b54beb3?width=150 150w, https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a45143239e7db121aa4f93d54b54beb3?width=320 320w, https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a45143239e7db121aa4f93d54b54beb3?width=650 650w, https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a45143239e7db121aa4f93d54b54beb3?width=1024 1024w" alt="Titans signing Reagan Campbell-Gillard wearing the club colours for the first time. Credit: Supplied." width="1024" height="768" />Campbell-Gillard, 31, said an honest conversation with Ryles was the end of his 107-game Eels career.
“I said to Ryles ‘tell me how it is’ and he felt like he wanted to go in a different direction,” he said.
“Shit happens. That’s rugby league and how the business works.
“If they don’t want me, that’s all right. I am fully okay with that.
“I understand it’s a business and everyone needs to understand that as well.
“I still had one more year left, but at my age to secure my future was the main thing.
“The Titans came there with the three years. At my age, three years is a lifetime.
“I have landed up here in a great spot on the Gold Coast. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can do next year.”
Hasler has been grinning like a Cheshire cat after securing a former Kangaroos and NSW Origin prop to complement an already stacked forward pack.
Campbell-Gillard will inject 221 games of NRL experience into a middle forwards rotation including Queensland Origin duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika.
Throw in bulldozing backrowers David Fifita and Beau Fermor and the Titans have arguably one of the hottest packs in the NRL.
Campbell-Gillard made his NRL debut for Penrith in 2015 and played five seasons before departing at the end of 2019, the year before the Panthers kicked off their incredible run of five straight grand final appearances and four consecutive premierships.
He played in Parramatta’s 2022 grand final loss to Penrith and would love to taste premiership success on the Gold Coast, especially after talking to a two-time NRL title winner in Hasler.
“I can’t really say much on camera (about what Hasler said). It was short and sharp. He didn’t have to twist my hand too much,” he said.
“The squad and location was appealing and having a good coach as well. I’m excited to get to work and see how he operates as a coach.
“It’s always the dream and goal to chase one (a premiership).
“There’s a lot of boys (at the Titans) that have racked up some numbers now in terms of games and playing four-five seasons.
“You need quality and experience. I’m excited to see what we can do.
“I think we can definitely push for the top eight and the top four and see what happens.”
Replies
“Brutal axing”. lol
Asked if he’d get extended, told no, and allowed to look elsewhere immediately if it meant he could get a long contract.
Would have been brutal to keep him for the year, then discard him with the risk of not getting another deal.
Being 32 at that stage, age will catch up quickly.
I'd really love to know the real story with RCG. He was punted from Penrith, excelled from Origin after being one of the best , and then he's one of our best and he's also told by the incoming coach " we are going in a different direction ". Just a hunch but I'm wondering if he maybe rubs people the wrong way or something . He's known to be a bit of an oddball yeah, but is a hardworking cleanskin , so what's the go. Is it just coincedence. I've never known a player to be booted from Origin in the fashion he was.
Wasn't that the talk at Penrith that he sort of tells it like it is and is a weirdo, Penrith boys couldn't really gel with him? Swear something like that was mentioned before.
Yeah dunno, could've purely been a salary cap move, but it's just strange that his history seems to be a list of " going in a different directions " with him. If he was a bum or had a few indiscretions I'd get it. But he has always mostly been a performer , he does lack some mongrel , but as a package he's good , and yet seems to have a bit of a red flag next to his name. You'd think Ryles of all people would've had a bit of a soft spot for him , but it seems he was gone before he even had a chance to plead his case .
Maybe that's what Ryles didn't like , Ryles being a bit of a hot head enforcer in his day, a bit like a much better version of Klemmer and RCG being a bit of a much better version of Sharon Woods , RCG has a bit too much oestrogen . We lack some proper grunt . Paulo and RCG were like having the Vandergeld sisters up front.
We all know why...... back in the space cadet Fitler days the blues was a Penrith wank fest .......He left that club with some noses out of joint ....the rest played out exactly as it did...Fitler was an absolute gun as a player but an absolute rubbish coach and man manager ....he was a sucker for dick head alexander and his agenda
I'm sure heard teams mates describe RCG as a oddball, definitely something about his personality that's doesn't click in that team environment - it's hard to figure out, I think communication wise RCG is a straight shooter add to that an alpha then I can why coaches may see him as tricky cat to deal with.
When I said something along the same lines I got told I talk out of my arse. Some people can't see what is right in front of them.
I'd rather talk outta my arse than have shit coming from my lips like some broseph.
Fair response, classy. Ryles was honest, RCG seemed appreciative of that.
He played hard for us but to me he's still immature and tbh those who condemn us for not extending rcg and gutho lol we've won fuck all with them. Also I'm pretty sure Nathan cleary said reg is a good player but says some stupid things sometimes. Penrith pissed him off because his attitude stinks.
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