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.