St George Illawarra have named Jack de Belin captain for this week’s round 13 clash with the Dolphins.
Regular skipper Ben Hunt is in Queensland camp with the Maroons as the Dragons look to build on their stirring last-gasp win over the Roosters last week.
It will be the first time de Belin has captained the side, and comes just days after news emerged that he was being considered for a shock State of Origin recall.
The Dragons forward played has played in just one Origin series — 2018 — before spending more than two years out of the game under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy as he fought sexual assault charges stemming from a night out in December of that year.
A jury in a second trial found him not guilty of one sexual assault charge and couldn’t reach a verdict on five others, paving the way for de Belin’s return to the game after the Director of Public Prosecutions opted not to pursue a third trial and withdrew the charges.
Jack de Belin.Credit: NRL Photos
According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, NSW medical staff discreetly asked for an update on de Belin after he starred in the Dragons’ last-gasp win over the Roosters on Friday night.
Blues officials were told de Belin had no fitness issues and would be available if selected.
De Belin was considered for the captaincy of the Dragons two seasons ago, leading to a withering retort from former NSW coach Laurie Daley.
