FACED with the prospect of a fifth straight series defeat for NSW - and the third on his watch - Craig Bellamy does not believe he will be Blues coach should his squad again succumb to Queensland.

THE NRL and the Newcastle Knights have defended their players after several of them spent yesterday with former teammate Chris Houston.

LEEDS: Nathan Hindmarsh thought he would not play another Test so in keeping with that he will treat this one like his last. After two years out of representative football, Hindmarsh will again play for the Kangaroos as part of a significantly overhauled squad to face England.

BESIEGED Newcastle coach Brian Smith insists the club's past two losses aren't the result of his decision to shift to the Sydney Roosters.

BLUES coach Craig Bellamy has suggested both Phil Gould and Wayne Bennett are better qualified to lead NSW next year, even after a face-saving win and captain Kurt Gidley's pleas for the Melbourne mentor to continue.