St George Illawarra Dragons coach Dean Young has given his rising talent Hamish Stewart the ultimate blessing, calling for him to make his international debut for Australia in the upcoming World Cup. Stewart is one of the many talented pathway juniors in the Red V lineup who are destined for illustrious honours, including Dylan Egan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Jacob Halangahu and Toby and Ryan Couchman. “He's a special talent, and it wouldn't shock me if Kevvie Walters picks him in the Australian tour at the end of the year; he's that good,” Young said of Stewart in his post-match press conference. Couchman had a killer performance in the Red V engine room, recording 67 tackles, only missing two in 80 minutes, all while in the wet. The Red V was all but set to receive the dreaded wooden spoon in 2026, but if the Dragons can conjure some late- season form, the defending premiers will begin to sweat.