A certain ex pie eating second row may not be in the England squad anymore. Doesn't surprise me with this idiot (if it's true).

It's true. It has been confirmed.

The rumours started here about 5 p.m. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=559361&tsmp=1382475774&start=130

The rumours started here about 5 p.m. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=559361&tsmp=1382475774&start=130

It said there that Graham, Hardaker and McIlorum won't play on Saturday. Ferrets in the squad for Hock now, based on form Ferres should have been in anyway.

If they've kicked Hock out shouldn't the others have gone too?

Without knowing exactly what happened, this is a pretty pointless question.

I would have sent McIlorum home too. Just to be certain. Rabies spreads very quickly.

There was a tweet from the BBC North West Sports reporter saying that some of the players were not happy at the disparity in treatment of "the four"
The tweet was removed very quickly.

I know you love half a story but if you read the statement he was released for breaches of discipline. This implys more than one incident. Others who may or may not have been involved may be first time offenders.

Gareth Cock is just bad news and it will be interesting to se how long he lasts at Salford before he has another brain fart.

richard askam
@richaskam
Sports Reporter/Presenter BBC TV. North West Tonight , News Channel & BBC Sport. All views my own


Hear a number of England players are not happy with the dismissal of Gareth Hock from the World Cup squad #rugbyleague


Gareth Hock told me feels unfairly treated by England.Says wasn't alone in breaking the rules.Interview on @BBCNWT & BBC outlets

Hard to say without knowing what's happened. If the four players did exactly the same thing there is perhaps a case for it but I doubt that's the case.

As for the England players not being happy, I call complete BS on that one. Hock is a complete lunatic and there wont be anyone in the camp sad to see him gone.

Just watched the video and he looks like a little boy caught nicking from the corner shop.

He says there were 6 or 7 of them out drinking but he was singled out (because he didn't get up in the morning presumably and the others did).

He says he missed two 10 minute training sessions/assessments. if this is really true, it look as if McBanana may have over reacted. However, given Hock's record, it could well be only half the story and he did more/worse things ("multiple breaches"icon_wink.gif.

If the other rumours are true and some of the rest of the squad are not happy about his treatment it does not go well for the rest of the tournament, with half the squad having their feeling confirmed that Steve Mac really is a banana.

So there was no fight then?

Well he might have had a fight with himself.

Doesn't look to be that way judging from the video.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"The rumours started here about 5 p.m. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=559361&tsmp=1382475774&start=130'" Mine wasn't a rumour mate. My info came from someone directly involved

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"The rumours started here about 5 p.m. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=559361&tsmp=1382475774&start=130'" Mine wasn't a rumour mate. My info came from someone directly involved

I know i couldn't see any bite marks

No Graham, Hardaker or McIllorum for Saturday...

At a time when all available funding streams have been diverted to McNamara and his England team, the net result having a serious impact on the junior game, this is not the kind of start we wanted. Smacks of a group of players with little to pn respect for the coach IMO. We will be lucky to beat Aus with our best 17, let alone with one our starting props on the Touchline. Crazy behaviour by the players.

Being reported that Graham was banned for one game for drinking offence, with Hock.

Banana trying to play at having a pair.

Presumably his puritanical and ego-trip takes precedence over team bonding. Given the previous widely-reported issues about 'camps' within England squads, there were apparently 4 players from different clubs having a quick beer & getting along with each other.

Total over-reaction - but sadly predictable. Our sport is a sodding joke, with positions of power packed with self-important, pompous pillocks

I agree entirely. He is trying to assert control and authority through absolute jurisdiction rather than through being a leader, coach and mentor they look up to and respect.

I have no problems with him excluding Hock, he should never have been selected on form and previous anyway. But to rest Graham from the toughest match in the group and the one that winning could force Aus and NZ into a semi together is just silly.

If England rally and beat Australia he can claim vindication, but if we are trampled in the pack (Which looks very likely with Mossop starting prop and Farrell on the bench) he will lose any lingering bit of respect anyone had for him. Instead of that pair he could have had Graham and Crabtree. The mind boggles.

He shouldn't be in the job in the first place as he has no CV or capability to do it. This is just adding stupidity to the embarrassment as it's self inflicted.

Or any credibility as he showed at the press conference looking like a water carrier with e eyes of the world on him, throwing his toys out of his pram.

Cheeky sod has also asked for a contract renewal.

Predictions for today anyone?

I got evens on Aus with a -12 handicap. I'll be amazed if I don't double my money.