VOCAL: Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale (picture left with the Ipswich Jets during their parade through the city this year) is furious with the NRL’s decision to defer expansion.

VOCAL: Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale (picture left with the Ipswich Jets during their parade through the city this year) is furious with the NRL’s decision to defer expansion. ROB WILLIAMS

NO, No, no, no...no.

No, that is not what Phil Gould said when NRL strategy chief Shane Richardson found no room for expansion in the next three seasons while announcing his blueprint for the game.

But it was what Ipswich civic leaders had to say in response to the decision.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, the patron of the Western Corridor NRL bid, was furious when the NRL decision to postpone expansion was announced.

Cr Pisasale had worked closely with former NRL boss David Gallop on the Ipswich bid and was expecting the Ipswich bid to get the green light to enter the NRL in 2018.

"What is wrong with the NRL? They are behind every other sport in Australia," Cr Pisasale said

"Richo' knows that rugby league is one of the best codes in Australia, but it is now going backwards because of this deferral of expansion.

"The AFL and A-League will go forward because their administrators understand what fans want and are in tune with where their sports should be heading.

"But I am happy to sit down with Shane Richardson at any time and explain why we need a new NRL team in Ipswich and why it will be a success.

"The Ipswich Jets proved this year that we have the players. We have corporate support coming out of our ears and the best facilities in the land.

"We have two readymade coaches in Ben and Shane Walker who can take the game to a level it has never been before as NRL coaches."

Blair MP Shayne Neumann is also keen to discuss the Western Corridor NRL bid with Mr Richardson.

He said the decision to postpone expansion was "short sighted and stupid".

"Ipswich has shown in the last 12 months that it is the home of rugby league here in south-Queensland," he said.

"South-east Queensland and Queensland generally is the home of rugby league in the country.

"Ipswich and the whole western corridor needs, deserves and expects a team and the NRL is opening the doors for other codes.

"The gate is open.

"If they get a premier soccer or AFL team based here then the NRL can blames themselves.

"They have just signed a $1 billion with media outlets to telecast games. They should be looking to actually expand the competition here with the Western Corridor NRL bid, in Central Queensland, the Central Coast of NSW and in Perth."