In particular, Kate is mortified to see that she has tipped Melbourne to beat Newcastle at AAMI Park on Saturday.

"I would NEVER tip against the Knights," she declares.

This is what is known in the newspaper trade as "a production error". Back in the old days, we could blame it on the sub-editors. Sadly they went the way of typewriters and photographic darkrooms some years back.

So, yep, hands up. My bad. I must have pasted when I should have cut, or vice versa. Sorry Kate.

What I admire about Kate is first of all her loyalty and parochialism, but also her honesty. I've known other tipsters over the years who have been given the wrong selection, only to let you know after the game has been played. That always struck me as pretty cagey.

If there is any such thing as karma, Kate will win this comp in a canter. For the record, her tips for this round are Raiders (v Sharks), Titans (v Warriors), Cowboys (v Tigers), Knights (v Storm), Rabbitohs (v Panthers), Eels (v Broncos), Sea Eagles (v Dragons) and Roosters (v Bulldogs).

REPORTS surface about Wallabies coach Michael Cheika contacting Knights dynamo Kalyn Ponga to gauge his interest in a possible future code switch.

I suppose there's no harm in making a phone call, but I just hope poor old Cheik didn't feel offended when KP burst into laughter and hung up.

Honestly, if Ponga was going to join the rah-rahs, would he prefer to join the world's best team (ie, the All Blacks), or a dysfunctional rabble that could soon be bankrupted once Israel Folau has finished suing them?

I'm tipping KP would rather play for the Dora Creek Swampies than Cheika's Wallabies.

In the Friday night match in Townsville, Gus Gould makes mention of the new recruit in the video-referee bunker's room - none other than Beau Scott.

It's weird to think a player who spent much of his career flaunting the rules is now helping to enforce them.

I FIND myself feeling quite sick in the guts when I read about the injury that has ended Parramatta hooker Kaysa Pritchard's career at the age of 25.

After a tackle gone wrong against Cronulla last year, Pritchard was taken to hospital for emergency surgery.

"One of your testicles was fully crushed. We couldn't repair it'," the surgeon told him after the operation.

"I don't know how you kept playing."

Pritchard added: "They were telling me I couldn't have kids naturally.

"I was like, 'What the f--k'. My heart dropped. Every other injury I've had, I've always said I'll get back on the horse.

"Get injured? It's all right. Have a bit of a sook, but I know I'll be sweet. Get back, fix it up, smash my rehab, and get back on the field, all good. This one changed me ... if I got hit again, I would never have kids at all."

Not surprisingly, Pritchard opted to hang up the boots.

Here's hoping his golf game is improving.

SEVEN Days feels a surge of paternal-like pride after Knights prop Daniel Saifiti is named to make his Origin debut for NSW.

This columnist will never forget the scorching November day in 2015 when I ventured out with photographer Darren Pateman to meet the teenaged twins who had been included in Newcastle's NRL squad as unknown project players.

My first impression was that Daniel and his identical sibling Jacob were rather large, and that if they kept growing, they would one day reach Godzilla-type proportions. I took them under my wing, gave them a few pointers, and walked away that day pretty confident that a couple of superstars were about to emerge.

Of course, I can't take all the credit, but I'd like to think I steered them in the right direction.

Meanwhile, NSW coach Freddy Fittler explains why James Maloney has been recalled for Origin II.

"I rang Braith Anasta and he said he couldn't play, so Jimmy was the last five-eighth that was standing," Freddy jokes. All of which presumably goes down like a lead balloon with Cody Walker.

SHAUN Kenny-Dowall has copped the occasional unwanted headline over the years, so it's only fair that he gets a rap when he deserves one.

Reader John Fothergill, of The Junction, emails this paper to reveal that he bumped into SKD at a petrol station and mentioned that his kids were massive fans.

Quick as a flash, the big fella reaches into his ute and hands over a pair of footy boots. "Absolute champion!" John writes. Hear, hear.

SPEAKING of free gifts, Seven Days receives a DVD in the mail from a reader, along with a copy of my recent Sporting Declaration column about Israel Folau.

The DVD is entitled "The Case for Christ". The dust cover describes it as "the true story" and "among the best films produced by the Christian film industry".

It looks like a bloody ripper of a show. Just a shame it's been so long since I used my DVD player that I can't remember how to turn it on.

NSW players pose for a team photo in their new dark-blue "alternate" kit.

It's a great idea and should come in handy the next time they play Manchester City, Sydney FC or the NSW Waratahs.

Strangely, I can't recall sky-blue ever clashing with Queensland's traditional maroon.