McGREGOR FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DE BELIN MOVE
St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor had a real chance after Friday night’s loss to the Brisbane Broncos and take responsibility for his decision to play prop Jack De Belin at halfback in place of injured star Benji Marshall. Adding insult to injury was backup half Drew Hutchinson sat on the bench for most of the match. The Dragons were ripped apart by the rampant Broncos who, shockingly, had too much firepower for the Saints. If you’re going to pick Hutchinson in your 17, you have to play him. Especially when the other option is plonking De Belin in to feed the scrums. After the match, McGregor said playing De Belin was the right call. A little odd considering how obviously wrong it turned out to be.

 
HAYNE’S STAR RISES IN THE NFL
How good is it seeing Jarryd Hayne rip up the Houston Texans in his very first NFL match? There is still a long way to go but it looks like Hayne is going to make San Francisco’s final 53-man squad. If and when he does, he will immediately surpass the likes of NBA star Andrew Bogut and golfer Jason Day. To switch sports and prove himself in the USA is the stuff of legend. The 49ers are in a win-win situation and can expect a huge spike in merchandise sales from Australia in the coming months.

 
BIG TWO WEEKS FOR THE COMMENTARY TEAM
Frenchy, Lewis and I are back this weekend for the VB NSW Cup clash between Mounties and Wests Tigers. Home side Mounties are in equal first place with three other teams while the Tigers are now three points outside the top 8 after a loss to the Warriors on the weekend. In an even bigger clash the following week, we’ll bring you Mounties and the Warriors which might just settle the minor premiership for 2015. Coverage on Saturday begins at 2pm on radiohub.com.au.

 
PUNCHING RULE OPENS UP CAN OF WORMS
There is a new vermin in the NRL and his name is the ‘smart arse rookie’. With the automatic sin bin for throwing a punch, players won’t risk throwing one because it will hurt his team and leave them to defend a man down. What this also means, apart from the pushing and slapping we’re already seeing from the big boys, is rookie outside backs and halves getting lippy with grizzled veterans twice their size and getting away with it. These boys know they’re not going to cop one in the mouth so they can do as they please without facing repercussions. Imagine the anger management classes Gorden Tallis would have to go to if he played these days? We’re happy to name names for The Quick Tap too. Luke Keary from South Sydney, Wests Tigers’ Mitchell Moses and Sydney Roosters’ Jackson Hastings are all repeat offenders.

 
THURSTON’S LEADERSHIP THE KEY TO COWBOYS SUCCESS
Nobody will ever doubt Johnathan Thurston’s talent. But last Thursday night, with the expectations of many on their shoulders, North Queensland were dominated by premiers South Sydney. They were hot favourites but it just didn’t happen. What the Cowboys need right now is Thurston’s leadership. North Queensland looked lost and disinterested at times against the Rabbitohs. Thurston can be everywhere for his team but if the team isn’t working with him, it just doesnt work. The Cowboys’ forward pack refused to dig into the line with the ball, their props were smashed and Jason Taumalolo was an afterthought. Time for a few rockets from JT and coach Paul Green.

 
@CurtisWoodward1