I don't think it's disrespectful calling a trophy by something it looks like. It's just a nickname for it, no disrespect. I think you're going overboard calling people disrespectful for calling it a hub cap.

Have they announced where the hub cap will be this weekend.

Yep, which is why I think you'd need to name it after somebody from longer ago. A few former GB captains would be suitable.

I think about the only modern player you could name it after is Jamie Peacock, such is the esteem in which he's held by RL fans of all clubs, but I'm not too keen on such awards/statues etc going to players so soon after they've finished playing.

Yes tend to agree.

Why name it after a man who was a 'league leader' only once in his long career ?

Firstly it was only a suggestion as a figure who might be readily accepted by all in RL. A World Cup winning GB captain would seem a reasonable choice to me.

Secondly, what difference does it make? It's to honour the man as a whole not just one narrow part of the game. In the same way as we have a Challenge Cup honour named after a man who never won the Cup as a player and a Grand Final honour for a man who never won a Grand Final.