It's hard to split Bateman, Currie and Ward as second-rowers (I'd say Currie is the best of them, just) but maybe the first two preferred because they dan fill centre. Certainly an argument for taking Ward ahead of Bateman because he'd be a better "tourist", but he doesn't get into first XIII.

Ward missing out is a shame but probably for the best, his shoulder might've gotten through the GF but maybe for the best he now rests it.

On merit, probably but from a purely selfish Rhinos POV I'd rather he stayed at home, rested, to then come back firing on all cylinders for 2018.

Ward will play for Wales

Not sure what Heightington offers over Ward.
Experience maybe and saves money on a plane ticket!

So the GF winner have 2 players in the WC squad and 9th place Warrington have 4...

How Chris Heighington has got in the squad over Ward is frankly disgraceful, how are we supposed to keep hold of our top players if anyone in the NRL is given preferential treatment

He's a prop and Ward's a back row. Heighington got in ahead of George Burgess, Watts etc.

no he plays in the second row for Cronulla and will almost certainly for England

Rumours Ward being called up to the Wales squad?

Id have him in the squad before bateman and heighinton. He's the most skillful back rower we'v got aswel as being rock solid in defence and hard to handle trucking the ball in. For me he's better than any backrower in that squad apart from S Burgess and possibly whitehead. Think curries quality aswel though and theres not much in it either way.

He doesn't. He plays bench prop for Cronulla and spells Fifita in the middle. Hasn't played back row for two years or more.