No Hughes spray for Smith
THE work Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes has done “picking and choosing” the moments in games to run the ball also came in handy when charged with directing makeshift halves partner Cameron Smith.
Hughes was given the “green light” from Storm coach Craig Bellamy to call the shots in the backfield and, if necessary, to spray Smith for any mistakes and broken plays.
But the 25-year-old former Townsville Blackhawks star – still trying to solidify his own standing at halfback – erred on the side of caution during the pulsating extra-time win over Sydney Roosters.
“Maybe a couple of times he was in the wrong place and Craig gave me the green light to actually spray him but I couldn’t do it,” Hughes said. “I gave him a polite reminder he’s not playing at hooker … I didn’t spray him, I wouldn’t spray him, and I wouldn’t do that, that’s too scary for me.”
Asked how Smith responded to the measured and polite in-game feedback, Hughes said: “He was pretty cool and calm just said ‘yeah, yeah, sorry mate, sorry mate’.
“If I sprayed him I don’t know what I would’ve got, (maybe) the steely eyes and probably might be dropped (this) week.”
NRL record-collector and captain Smith is likely to again spot start as first-receiver on Saturday night in Canberra with five-eighth Cameron Munster (knee) still sidelined.
Hughes registered six tackle busts and two tries from 100 run metres, last Thursday night against the reigning back-to-back premiers Roosters, in a career-best performance. Hughes played for the Blackhawks and Cowboys across 2015-16.