We have been told captain Marshall and vice-captain Blair had a flare up in camp after the extremely disciplined Storm forward was struggling to cope with the flamboyant five-eighth's ego. Blair apparently pinned Marshall up against a wall at one point and let him know in no uncertain terms what he thought. They have since settled their differences and will both play for the All Stars on the Gold Coast next Saturday. Marshall had another blow-up at Tigers training last Saturday when he took offence at a tackle from rookie Tiger Andrew Fifita.

For Pete's sake, it's all Bunny business

THE hottest rumour through the week suggested Peter Holmes a Court was quitting as a director of South Sydney and selling his half-share in the Rabbitohs. Before we'd made a call to check it out, the following text message arrived from the multi-millionaire's mobile. "Rumours flying around. I am a long-term shareholder, never been more excited about the club. No chance I am transferring, selling, trading my shares in the club. Will be at the game on Sunday." And where did the rumour originate? We're told it came from the old George Piggins camp.

Wazza gets the punt

THERE are major rumblings in the corridors of Fox Sports after the decision to axe commentator Warren Smith from the midweek NRL on Fox program. Screened on Wednesday nights during the footy season, Smith has been a long-time host of the show, but he has been told he's now making way for former Cleo bachelor of the year Ryan Phelan.

Joey misses his man

THE man who led a big behind-the-scenes push to get Willie Mason to Newcastle was none other than the great Andrew Johns. Joey has always been a massive admirer of the 2004 Clive Churchill Medal winner and has previously stated how he would have loved to see Mason in the red and blue.

Clean pair of heels

WE hope new Rooster Todd Carney's personal sponsor this season is a good omen for the former wild child. Carney is being sponsored by a company called Cleanfit, who are responsible for the cleaning contracts in some of Sydney's biggest pubs.

Swimming lesson

WE had a chuckle during the week over some ill-informed comments about the so-called under-performance of Australian swimming. If the sport is going that bad, what does it say about our other Olympic sports. Swimming gets just 6.5 per cent of the funding from the Australian Sports Commission but won 43 per cent of all our medals at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Feathered Friend

SENIOR Sydney Roosters stars Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello came up with a nice touch to help exiled hooker Jake Friend celebrate his 21st birthday by delivering a cake to the cafe where he's working in Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. It was a lovely gesture to let the youngster know he's a long way off being forgotten at Bondi Junction.

Big Artie sidelined

THE inaugural Indigenous-NRL All Stars match has been dealt a promotional blow as league legend Arthur Beetson is unable to participate in the gala event. Australia's first indigenous rugby league skipper, Beetson had been invited as a guest of honour to celebrate the historic showdown at Skilled Park next Saturday night. But the Queensland icon will be consigned to watching the spectacle from his loungeroom after undergoing a knee replacement last week. It is the second health-related setback for the league Immortal, who spent 24 hours in Townsville Hospital eight weeks ago after a mild heart scare.