THERE can only be one call to go out if Craig Bellamy does quit the NSW coaching job, and that is: BRING BACK GUS! It was nice of the Daily Telegraph to suggest Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley as a double act - and we're sure the fact Joey is a News Ltd columnist who doesn't talk to Fairfax and Lozza remains close to News from the Super League days would have had nothing to do with that - but let's get fair dinkum. When it comes to winning State of Origin series, nobody does it better than Phil Gould. He coached in eight series and won six of them, for God's sake. Of the 27 series played since the Origin concept was extended beyond a single game, NSW have won 11 and Gus is the only Blues coach to have won more than one. Now, Gould would never be so arrogant as to think the job was his for the taking, so we have to push him, and when we suggested to him that he would have to come back, he texted the reply: "A zillion to one, baby." We can work on bringing those odds down. Of course, it goes without saying this push has nothing to do with the fact Gus is a Fairfax columnist who doesn't like News.

Manly moos flash


First the Herald revealed Manly players were injecting a substance which contains calves' blood extract, now comes the proof that they don't care what they put into their bodies. After last Saturday night's win over Newcastle in Gosford, the entire Sea Eagles team was seen dining at Hungry Jack's. Perhaps the Eagles just can't get enough beef.

Storm stink stumper


Queensland skipper Cameron Smith was left bemused as to why he was forced to evade a raised elbow from Melbourne teammate Ryan Hoffman during Wednesday's Origin match - an incident for which Smith has accepted Hoffman's apology. Smith yesterday said he had been "filthy" at the time of the incident. "I had a few words with him after he tried to knock me out," Smith said yesterday. "I spoke to him briefly after the match and Hoffy was very apologetic. I don't think he would have meant to do it but when it happened, I sort of asked the question why would his elbow be up there in the first place." Hoffman said the incident stemmed from a mistimed attempted charge-down. "I came through putting kick-pressure on and probably didn't do it the best way," Hoffman said. "He took exception to it, I apologised [and it's] all done and dusted. I apologised at the time and again after the game. He's sweet and I'm sweet, no problems."

Cheers, Bud


Smith paid tribute to Danny Buderus after the NSW skipper's final Origin appearance but he couldn't resist the chance to take a parting shot at his hooking rival. "It's good to have the last laugh," Smith said. "It was built up to be his fairytale night and although we didn't speak about that too much, I know the Blues would have. They wanted to send him out on a good note. It's always good to get one on your opposite number." With Buderus heading to England next season, Smith said he was looking forward to developing a similar rivalry with his successor and nominated Wests Tigers rake Robbie Farah and Brisbane's Michael Ennis. "I was a fairly young bloke and Danny was the best hooker in the world at the time. We slowly built up that rivalry that's talked about now," he said. "But there's great hookers for NSW going around now. I think over time we can build another rivalry."

Blues honour Bedsy


Buderus did receive some consolation on Wednesday night, when he was presented with the Brad Fittler Medal after being chosen by the NSW selectors and coach Craig Bellamy as the Blues' player of the series. Fittler, whose record Buderus broke as NSW's longest serving captain, was on hand to present the award to his former teammate. Buderus was also voted players' player by his Blues teammates for the second consecutive match.

Ratings record


Origin III set yet another television ratings record, with the 2.144 million viewers on Wednesday night the highest average audience since the introduction of OzTAM ratings in 2001. It is the third time this year that an Origin's ratings have broken new ground.
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