Steve McNamara has just walked out of his pre match press conference because he didn't like the questions he was being asked. So after the Italy defeat, the poor way he dealt with Gareth Hock and now this, does Burtons Forearm still want to tell me that McNamara is a professional coach who knows what he is doing?

He looked like a man under serious stress and pressure which considering he is coach of only the third favourite team in the tournament appears odd.

I'm thinking Glen Hoddle and his Karma period.

How not too handle things 101. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24675754 I'll eat my hat if he is still England coach when he opens the first door on his advent calendar. Said it the other day and I'll say it again wouldn't surprise me one bit if he didn't survive through the tournament.

How not too handle things 101. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24675754 I'll eat my hat if he is still England coach when he opens the first door on his advent calendar. Said it the other day and I'll say it again wouldn't surprise me one bit if he didn't survive through the tournament.

My fear is that Hock is being rolled out as the Catalyst of destruction in the England Set up .
From some of the posts on this thread to Nigel Wiskar's ridiculous rant in the Mirror "Once again Hock has let down himself, his teammates, his coach, the sport's fans and the game in general."
Surprised he didn't Add he'd let down Jesus , Budda And World Peace .

What happen to perspective ?
He didn't bite anyones ear /arm / willy , thump anyone, he was silly & had a drink.

The over riding impression I'm getting is the England set up is a shambles , the way the incident's been handled a shambles. I fully expect that shambles to continue . and If people think that Hock's fault , they need their heads examining , not Gareths.

Deary me. McNamara looks like someone who knows they're teetering on the edge of doom. In his case, redundancy.

Good points MM. I've thought similar myself.

I can't help wondering why , when all the squad are waiting around the swimming pool, why didn't at least one of his team mates say " Wheres Gaz, someone go and get him "or make an excuse for him ( as in , he's not feeling well Boss, he'll be down soon)

I think he has been let down badly.I don't think he alone would have come up with the punishment system and certainly not left alone to make the decision on the Tuesday night press release.
He must have been aware of the type of questions he would be given 3 days later and he should have been well prepared to deal with them.
The media department,if there is one,of the RFL have failed.Big time !
Even the PFA organised media training for their lot after their 'Sick as a parrot' and 'Over the moon' post match interviews.
A complete contrast to what is usually experienced when the Australians do it.
As for body language or non-verbal communication...

Still,nice that the English supporters involved in the tsunami of abuse towards Gareth Hock can shout their support for Sam Burgess,George Burgess,and Ben Westwood who have all shown remarkable self discipline on and off the field in recent times.

I think the coverage in the build up to the WC on the BBC has been brilliant, there's minimal offerings from er Ray er French and er NUMBERS Davis. There's been a constant update of previews, interviews, trips down memory lane and even some history of the sport itself.

But do we really need the day before it all starts the main headline on BBC sport



I'm sorry but for the RFL to allow this farce the week before the event shows in one incident what is wrong with the sport, it's a world class product run & administrated by out and out simpletons.

Laughing stock.

...To continue after the hastily ended press conference seems to have occurred.
I think they should have taken the head coach into a room out of the way to prevent the following being written in the national press yesterday -
I think it is suggesting that the head coach not only refused to answer questions the journalist posed,on behalf of the public,but may not have been truthful.
A strange way to encourage more media coverage and boost the sport via the international games so beloved by the other code.
rlLINKrl

I did notice something in the press which may bring a little comfort to Gareth Hock -
Several members of the 24-man squad are known to be unhappy with how Hock was treated
Bit more important than the views of supporters and journalists who don't know the full story.
rlSourcerl

well if the rumours coming out of leeds last saturday night/sunday morning are true , what was the difference with what gareth hock did after the italy game , hardaker was supposed to be in attendance again so why wasnt he humiliated and sacked ?

If we're talking about rumours just a quick reminder to consider libel implications.

This isn't a go at Red Fusilier because rumours have not been repeated - just a reminder for anyone adding to this thread to consider the legality of what they type.

Worryingly Paul Deacon confirmed Zak Hardaker has "personal problems" with strong rumours suggesting he wont even be at Leeds next year.

hardaker has withdrawn himself from the England set up due to his personal problems

Anyone else think this is all a big smoke screen after the whole Gareth Hock fiasco. Rumours are he was out in the p*ss last week, ended up scraping and returned to camp with a shiner. Could be total garbage but wouldn't surprise me.

leeds already have a replacement in place if rumours are true , shame if its over ale , seen loads of clued up lads in the forces lose there way because of it , real shame to waste his talent