So we should have a policy that sends a message out to young sportmen that taking recreational drugs is ok?

Their nutritionist told him to take it like KC? what did he say, "use this instead of sugar on your cornflakes"?

While your playing sports it's obviously not ok , then again if you wanna make it to the very top and stay there it's not really a good idea to smoke or drink large amounts of alchohol. What I'm saying is why have a draconian 2 year ban for all offences - with a first offence a smaller ban and a condition they stay clean (plus the condition they cant play until they prove there clean) plus the usual fine etc etc

I think the ban is as much about warning others not to do the same as it is a punishment. At wigan for example what do you think Ainscough or tomkins reaction would be if thay were offered anything now? Compared to if Hock got a 3 month ban or something similar? I don't believe in life bans, people can change, but 2 years is a good deterent

You have no idea if it did or didnt. That would have depended on when he took it. The performance enhancing element is a joke tbh, if he wanted a performance boost he could have taken a trip to plenty of 'suppliment' experts for much better results.

Because how does anyone know how many times a player has taken cocaine? Cocaine has an effect on performance whether it is taken once or a hundred times. How then can a differentiation be made?

I'm not usually in favour of one rule fits all but on this occasion I think it is spot on. The message must be communicated that cheating and putting your team mates at risk doesn't and shouldn't pay.

I see your point but I still think 2 years is a bit draconian for a first offence.

If he was a serial user he would be on massive amounts of the stuff to just get a tiny performance increase. It's always difficult in these situations but there should definatly be a line drawn between performance enhancers and recreational drugs even if you do count coke as an enhancer

If you sign up to WADA's anti-doping policy you've got to play by its rules.

He's on that much? Blimey. That's not to be sniffed at, is it?

Jesus wept

more apt towards your user name me thinks

Thats true and the RL have sold thier soul but that Doesnt stop me thinking it's rules are pathetic or expressing that opinion. WADA is a great idea in principle but in reality it goes way OTT on the wrong people

You are completely out of your depth here mate. lol.

How so ? They blanket ban people for mistakes and tar them with the same brush as drug cheats. I dont see how thats fair or right. I didnt realise until I read something on the Hock thread on the pie board how terribly they treat kids involved in athletics either. I can express my opinion and quite honestly I refuse to tow the 'party' line most people go with because of they are terrified of the political faux pas subject of drugs (unless of course there off screaming we should burn anyone who has ever touched a drug - which is rich considering loads of these people have done exactly the same but just never been caught)

My Point being that WADA and the idea of keeping Performance enhancing drugs out of sport is a good idea it's just the punishments in some cases dont seem to fit the crime.

can I ask a serious question?

do they also check for roids?

My BIL is mates with a SL first teamer for a Yarkshire club and he has stated (when I was there) that 75% of players are on them

Yes they do.

Considering the most popular steriod stays in your system for close to a year, you would have to assume that if 75% of SL players were on them, a lot would have been caught by now.

Growth hormone more like , it can't be tested for where steroids can.

Bad news for Wigoon and England. Hock is the one blockbusting British player Wigoon have got and with decent coaching he could improve and get himself into position for making our bench. Replacing him is a big task and they'll have to splash the cash to get somebody on board for next year equally as effective. Hopefully this will mean Phil Bailey gets another year or two from them

So if Kyle Eastmond is 6'2" next year we'll know something's amiss

Rumor on the vine is Matty Johns is coming out of retirement to apply for British citizenship cause our grass is greener and he heard of e by gum

It certainly can! The HGH stimulators can even be tested for now! There are currently two blood tests available to the authorities.
Trouble with HGH is it occurs naturally in the body,its possibly harder to test for but can be tested.

Like TDF cyclists?

Hock is an idiot, but he may regard himself as unlucky as there is an undercurrent of 'recreational' drug taking in RL.

Id like to think that rugby league wasnt as corrupt as cycling.

However, I used to work with a guy who mixed in the same circles as the players from a golden era and the stories he told me of wild holidays in lanzarote, high on drugs. After seeing the photos of said holidays, its plain to see judging by their eyes, they were high on something. He also told me the tricks they used to use to avoid being caught when tested.