Exactly. It's hopelessly naive to think that the best way to handle this is "no further comment". A player has been kicked out of the squad on the eve of the World Cup. Does anyone seriously think that fans, pundits, non-selected players, etc. etc. are going to think "oh well, they won't tell us why, so that's the end of it, I'll move on" ? However unpleasant, you need to deal with it. Because it's so close the first game, you have to deal with it at an uncomfortable speed, but hey, tough luck, it needs to be done. If you need to grab a few lawyers first then do so, and make 'em work the nightshift so that you can quickly come up with the informative statement required to deal with this as effectively as possible. Sounds like it might be happening, so will wait and see.

Sounds like trip to SA was a really beneficial team bonding exercise.
The mind boggles as to how any player can exhibit behaviour warranting being disciplined in the lead up to a World Cup.
These guys are supposed to be the elite of our sport and role models etc.

Has anyone checked the state of Hock's ears?

Yep @DrMar is the real Koukash and I agree it is....Worth a follow though.

skysports reporting he didn't show up to the training camp, can hardly blame the RFL or anybody else for that.

If that is the case, what were the reasons behind him missing training? Also, does failure to miss training (for whatever reason - personal or not) constitute a serious breach of conduct and warrant immediate and permanent explusion from the squad 3 days before the first game of the World Cup.

Completely irrelevant. It is the week before the start of the WC. The national spot light is on and we are coming off the back off a humiliating defeat to Italy.
I wouldn't expect anything less than absolutely 100%
commitment. They should all be treated the same for this incident, not what has happened at club level.

I don't know the full facts, maybe Hock was worse than the others, but they all need severely punishing if they have breached team discipline.

Not turning up is a good reason to kick him out in my opinion.
It's not like a club side where there is a long term plan and long term contract to think about.
This is all about preparations for the next game and then the next 5.
If he goes missing he is not in with the team, no point carrying him, especially if there was a bust up that caused it.

You need to keep the rest of the team together so get rid if he isn't "together"

I should hope so. If you can't even get yourself to training a week before representing your country in the World Cup then you clearly don't want to be there.

Also I Mcnamara is very relieved he didn't choose the other "bad apple" Brough...

Dont you think kicking him out will do the complete opposite to what you have suggested? Gareth Hock has a lot of friends in that camp such as Tomkins, Charnley, Mossop, Farrell, McIllorum, O'Loughlin, Chase etc and if reports are said to be true they are all unhappy with the decision. McNamara may have created a situation, a potential divide in the camp when perhaps it didnt need that. It stinks of poor management to me.



What were his reasons for missing training, if it is indeed confirmed that is what has happened? I wathed a Gareth Hock interview on the Salford site last week and he was eager and excited about representing his country.

Stinks of Hock never changing his dumb ways no matter how many times it bites him on the ar$e. How many times does this vile idiot mess up and how many times is it somebody else's fault ???

Would he have got a game anyway ??? Losing him will not hurt us half as much as losing one of our better forwards would.

Several sources are now saying that a lot of the England squad are very unhappy with the manner of Hocks dismissal.Hows that working on morale and keeping the team "together"

if they are ok for players to not turn up to training the week leading up to the first world cup game, then they are as thick as Hock is

Hock, McIlorum and Graham out on it against orders. Hock doesn't show up next day.
Hock bulleted, the other two stood down for Saturday.

I don't think so no. Hard to say without knowing the facts but I'd say it smacks of good discipline.
They are not there to be buddies they are there to do a job. If my mate let the team down I would be unhappy (mostly with him) but I would still give my best to the team



What ever the reasons, if they are justified then he has somthing more important in his life to concentrate on, and he should do that for his own well being, if it isn't then he is not giving the team his 100% and doesn't deserve to be there.

I was 'managed out' of a company because they identified me as a '3' ..... Basically, the company I worked at for many years (150 yr old engineering firm) was taken over by an over-ambitious gang of BS merchants, who loaded the company with debt and gave me the instruction to "use any method available to maximise short term revenues from clients". When I refused and stated that could only end up in the destruction of client/consultant relationship and eventual demise of the company, their answer was simple - They had no long term plan; they intended to get what they could and move on ...... I was forced out, the board took huge salaries/bonuses, and within 3 years the company was bankrupt, putting 2000 people out of work!

Maybe Hock (and I really, really, don't like the idea of him being me

) has simply pointed out to Mc that his plans are BS and wont work!

Is this a RL forum or a business management one ????

The problem with this is that you are placing Hock on the same intellectual level as yourself – you may be happy with that but I wouldn’t be

There is only one constant in Hock’s career – that he lets himself and his club/teammates down time and again with acts of utter stupidity both on and off the pitch

Very talented Rugby League player but unfortunately a very stupid man

Didn't effect Wigan or his former teammates too badly this season by getting him out of their club.

There are many people who I think would make a better England coach than McNamara, but Gareth Hock isn't on my list, despite even my mum making the top 20.

If thats the case then it seems its OK to break the strict team rules about no drinking as long as you turn up for training.Seems being unable to get out of bed after a hard night on the lash is a more serious offence than just being out on the lash.Sure that will make sense to someone.No wonder the England squad are unhappy with the way this situation has been dealt with.

I cant overstate how disappointed I am with the England team. Losing to a terrible Italy side (with a couple of decent NRL players in it only) and now this.

Do the players realise how much this tournament means to the fans?

That makes absolute sense to me, how is this being turned into Macnamara's fault? The players are a disgrace.

To be honest, if the England squad are unhappy......and that's only you saying that as far as I can see......then I'd play the players from the Knights.