Hayne's defence representative asks Magistrate Robert Stone if his client can have his bail conditions varied so that he can complete a six-month disciple training course at Youth With a Mission in Perth.

Some might wonder about the Hayne Plane's motives, but perhaps he's reached the conclusion that now is as good a time as any to repent.

Seven Days is under mounting pressure to do likewise.

After querying in a recent column I wrote about Israel Folau whether there is a heaven or a hell, this columnist received a DVD entitled "The Case for Christ" in the post.

It has been followed by a booklet labelled "Passport for Heaven", and some words of wisdom from a concerned reader: "Robert don't leave it till it is too late. No one is promised tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation. My prayer for you and your family is that you would recognise Jesus as LORD and SAVIOUR."

It's sage advice. The only problem being that if rugby union is the game they play in heaven, I'm not sure how keen I am. It sounds a bit overrated.

NEWS surfaces that the Old Fox is interested in taking over as Queensland Origin coach if, as has been widely predicted, Kevin Walters is offered the job at Gold Coast Titans.

"The bottom line is I've always had Queensland in my heart," Benny says.

"If the QRL feels I can play a role and if they want me to coach the Maroons, yes ... I would seriously consider it."

This raises the question of how many coaching gigs one bloke can handle.

He's already in charge of South Sydney and the England Test team. Could he juggle them and the Maroons as well?

One thing is certain. Which ever Wayne rolls, it won't be a financial decision. It will be all about the "challenge".

REMEMBER when Foxtel used to spruik its "Super Saturday" coverage?

Today it's very much "Mere Mortal Saturday".

One game, instead of the usual three, and Newcastle are devoid of their four-man Origin contingent when they host the Warriors.

Knights back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon produces a heroic effort by playing nearly a full game despite suffering a dislocated elbow.

Fitzy is left facing a month of doctors' appointments, physiotherapy, scans etc etc.

Sounds expensive. Here's hoping the big fella has appropriate insurance with a reputable health fund.

FORMER human headline Todd Carney announces he has signed up for "Dry July" to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

It's a worthy cause, but there are a few pubs up around Byron Bay, where Carney is based these days, that appear likely to experience a mini-recession over the next four weeks.

Meanwhile, rookie Sharks coach John Morris offers an intriguing rationale for removing Shaun Johnson with the shepherd's hook late in Cronulla's upset loss to the Broncos.

"I actually needed to keep a goalkicker out there," Morris explains.

"After they scored that last try I thought we may need to kick a goal to level it up ... at the moment we're in a hole there. I think we've kicked three from our last 10."

Morris is only a newbie, so perhaps someone needs to explain to him that Johnson has kicked the occasional goal in his career. Just the 339 of them, at last count.

BLUES boss Freddy Fittler unveils his secret weapon to give Queensland's $5500-an-hour "coach whisperer" an inferiority complex - none other than the legendary Warren Ryan.

The man they call "Wok" has been keeping a low profile since a much-publicised appearance in Waverley Court almost two years ago, when he was convicted for bringing back the biff in a Maroubra hotel.

The former Newtown, Canterbury, Balmain, Wests and Knights tactician has a couple of connections to the Blues.

He mentored NSW assistant coach Andrew Johns during their time together at Newcastle, and he goes way back with Blues halfback Mitchell Pearce, whose dad apparently used to play a bit of footy for the Tigers.

"My wife nursed him [Mitchell] when he was a baby in the grandstand at Balmain many years ago," Wok explains.

FORMER Knights forward Luke Yates reveals his pet hate about living in England - the local bacon.

Now starring for London Broncos in Super League, Yates explains in an interview with The Sun: "It just p---es that white stuff all over the place when you cook it. At home, we have nice thick cuts of it."

Yatesy adds: "There was a lot of new stuff to take in."

Sounds like the former Lambton High School student has experienced something of a culture shock adjusting to life in old London town.

AUSSIE cricket coach Justin Langer channels Freddy Fittler's weirdness by instructing his players to walk around Edgbaston shoeless before their World Cup semi-final against England.

"It was nice. You get a feel of the grass on your feet, a bit of grounding, the positive and negative energy flowing through and coming out of the earth ... it was just a moment to get a feel for the ground, literally," Aussie batsman Peter Handscomb says.

Hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be viewing "earthing" as a masterstroke after famous victories from the men in sky blue and canary yellow.