I agree Dave, but it has had me pondering just how much influence that the RFL throws into squad selection.

A few years ago, Phil Clarke left the role of GB Team manager and gave an open and honest account of the reasons why, which if I remember correctly were largely ( not entirely) to do with the RFL trying to manipulate and meddle in every decision from squad selection to which airline they use, hotels, kit etc etc !

Personal views on squad selections mean that everyone will have their own Aussie beating formula, but I bet none of them include sending your best players home before it all kicks off.

I feel for Gaz Hock, as he has worked hard to get his chance and at his age this will probably be his last chance too and whilst none of us like losing, it is a small price to pay to have a little discipline in your life to reach the pinnacle of your sport. I too think that he has been the victim of his reputation, but it has been well earned and probably deserved.

But I still think that unless we have a coach with backbone enough to pick the in-form players, rather than the big names first, 'lets fit em in' attitude, we won't win anyway, so its of little consequence.

I'm sure you will remember that it was "our Barrie" that was the very first person in the UK to be CS sprayed by the Police in Oldham some years back, when he and another player got arrested for being drunk and fighting in Oldham town centre?

I've been asking this question for a while, anyone would think the England set up is a one man band. You only ever here from McBanana.
Do they have a Media manager to deflect some of the flack aimed at the teams internal problems.
Also I saw a photo of some of the England set up being introduced to the Queen just before the World Cup, it included Barry Jon Mather who it described as England team manager. If BJM has that position why do we not hear anything from him.
McBanana is terrible infront of the cameras and should have been given some support from the RFL in these press interviews.
Surely any news should have been agreed before going into a press conference, in doing this it would have avoided any unnecessary speculation.
You have to plant blame right at the top with Nigel Wood and his cronies.

Agreed, I'm no fan of banana, but he certainly looks isolated.

It could just be that, like many men who are out of their depth in a challenging role, he is insisting on running things autocratically.

But I agree, there is almost certainly some responsibility lying with the RFL ... if for no other reason than their appointment of McNamara in the first place.

In the same way, I blame McNamara more for his original selection of Hock than for the disciplinary action he took. Hock is a nothing but trouble, and regardless of the good form he once showed, should have been nowhere near the England camp.

"hear, hear!"

(It is an abbreviation for "hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"icon_wink.gif