Paul McGregor takes aim at NRL over decision to stand down Jack de Belin
Dragons coach Paul McGregor has questioned the decision to stand down forward Jack de Belin, saying: “He’s the first NRL player in history to be denied the presumption of innocence without a witness or video evidence”.
St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has questioned the decision to stand down NSW Origin forward Jack de Belin, saying: “He’s the first NRL player in history to be denied the presumption of innocence without a witness or video evidence”.
Speaking for the first time since de Belin was controversially suspended by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, McGregor said he was disappointed the game’s governing body had waited so long to make a ruling given rape charges were levelled against his player in December.
The coach added that, with his star No.13 now sidelined, fellow Blues forward Tyson Frizell would switch to lock — with rising Dragons Jacob Host and Luciano Leilua using Saturday night’s Charity Shield to trial for the vacated edge backrow spot.
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McGregor also told The Daily Telegraph his side’s inspiring finish to the 2018 NRL season - where they upset Brisbane and came within a point of rolling South Sydney in the playoffs - had provided both the resilience and confidence required to deal with the current dramas engulfing them.
After overseeing the Dragons captain’s run at Glen Willow Sports Complex, Mudgee, McGregor admitted being “disappointed” with the decision to stand his star forward down.
“The Commission governs the game, and no doubt they have the greater good of the game at heart,” he said.
“In saying that though, Jack is the first NRL player in history to be denied the presumption of innocence without a witness or video evidence.
“He was charged in December so it’s disappointing this decision has been made so close to the season commencing.
“There’s no doubt that this has impacted Jack and his family.
“(However) Jack maintains his innocence and draws strength from this. He also recognises that he will have his opportunity to defend himself in court.”
Quizzed on how his players would deal with the loss of an Origin star - not to mention the intense media spotlight now focused on the join-venture club - McGregor suggested his side had developed a “resilience” and confidence based largely on the way they finished 2018.
Competition leaders up until Round 20, the Red V won just four of their final 11 games and seemed no hope of making a dent in the finals.
However, the Dragons then upset Brisbane in week one of the playoffs before going down by just a point to the Rabbitohs — even after losing a host of star players to injury.
“We were coming off a bad month and the scrutiny was heavy,” McGregor recalls. “The boys were really copping it.
“But the way they responded, and the lessons they learned throughout that period ... I know they now have the experience required to deal with this stuff we’re going through.
“Obviously it’s not ideal.
“But as you’ve seen today (Friday) with the way the boys trained, they know what they need to do.
“They’ve learned from the past. And when you do that, it enables you to grow and move forward.”
McGregor said with de Belin sidelined, Frizell would play a similar role to the one undertaken previously with both NSW and Australia.
The coach added that, while awaiting further detail from the NRL regarding salary cap relief, he would look to both Host and Leilua to make a play for the new edge position.
“You don’t replace a player like Jack,” McGregor said. “But we will look from within first and foremost ... focus on what
we’re good at and play to our strengths, which is starting the season off on a positive note.”
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