NRL one-punch rule has become a slap in the face for the game ACTION but no reaction. Referees failed to act after a fight involving Bronco Corey Parker and Dragons Jack de Belin and Nathan Fein at Suncorp Stadium. 1 IT'S easy to see the tactics being employed to get around the NRL's "one punch you're off" edict. It's a version of the famous "99" call originated by the British Lions on their 1974 tour of South Africa. Whenever Lions captain Willie John McBride gave the call, the entire team would run in throwing punches, the idea being that the referee would be left with the option of either sending off everyone or no one. The rugby league call could be better christened "99 Slap." At Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Dragons halfback Nathan Fien took a swing at Corey Parker and it was all on, with players from both sides racing in to what the AFL would term a melee. There were plenty of swinging arms, plenty of contact, but not one clenched fist. The referees and linesman went into a huddle, the issue was sent upstairs, the crowd chanted "off, off, off ..." and a mere penalty was the result. Maybe refs' boss Daniel Anderson will have to instigate the "one punch - or slap - you're off" rule - the "Handbag Law" for short. 2 HOW about those Russians? When they knocked down the Berlin Wall and ended the Cold War 22 years ago we thought it might bring them out of the Dark Ages. Seems not so much. Someone should tell Vlad Putin that the civilised world is pretty much over the whole gay thing. Threatening to imprison or deport anyone supporting gay rights during the Sochi Winter Olympics later this year is not only discriminatory, outdated and a public relations disaster, but it demands a response from the Olympic community. There are calls for the Australian Olympic Committee to boycott the Games, but as winter sports minnows we won't be missed and besides, as the Moscow Olympics of 1980 proved, the only people hurt will be the athletes. So how about the AOC gets creative and commissions a range of rainbow-themed lycra suits for competitors to wear while skiing, skating and bob-sledding? We might not win too many medals, but at least we'll make a true fashion statement. 3 HOW good was the coverage of the US PGA? No seriously, how good was it? I didn't have access to Fox Sports, so I have no idea. The last major tournament I saw was the Masters, and while the Ten network did manage to cut the end of Jason Day's third round to go to a kids' show, at least it was available on free-to-air. So why not the PGA? We used to get all the majors for free when Greg Norman was on top, but now that we've gone all digital you have to pay. I thought this was what the anti-siphoning law was supposed to rule out. As an Australian, I would like to see Australians competing in major international events and as a taxpayer contributing to a total of eight publicly funded TV stations, I don't think that's too much to ask. 4 THE injury to Justin Hodges might not be all gloom for the Broncos. Even if they get to the eight this season they'll just be making up the numbers. You only had to be at Suncorp on Sunday to see the influence Hodges has on the team and with the club on a recruitment drive for next year they'll need every bit of his inspiration to get back on track. Hodges' body has only got so many games left in it. The last thing the Broncos needed was for him to play in the World Cup and return to preseason without a break. It's a painful way to do it, but the rehab will add a year to his career. 5 THERE have been more "certainties" linked to the North Queensland coaching job than you'll get at a tout's convention behind the feed stalls at Eagle Farm. First it was Kevvie, then Greeny, then Donno and Bazza and Matto. No doubt they'd all do a great job, but you have to wonder what the club directors who showed Neil Henry the door are thinking as he leads the Cows on a stirring surge towards the finals. Of course they want the team to do well. Just maybe not THAT well.