I do have a fading memory of there being more too it than just the fact it spilled into the crowd but even so I reckon the Aussies would have moved heaven and earth to get those two on the plane, not kick them out of the squad. Sure they would be punished in some way but not to the detriment of the national team!



I don't see what any of what went on at Wigan has got to do with it. If Hock's past influenced McNamara's decision he should never have selected him in the first place. For me it's a simple disciplinary and man management issue and one that has exposed McNamara as a bit inadequate. I have read the thread and those who were glad to see the back of Hock for whatever reason have understandably sided with McNamara but if people just stood back from that a minute and looked at what Hock (and the other players) actually did and consider how they would feel if it was Micky Mac being kicked out like this had he been the guilty party I think we would have a very different thread.

I am not condoning what he did and I have long argued drink has no place when the players are involved in any competition (and have often been told I was wrong on that score by the way). Missing the warm down session was pretty stupid as well but in my opinion McNamara shot himself in the foot by going as far as he did. Was he incapable of thinking of suitable sanctions for all the players involved that didn't mean he was leaving several of his best players out of the side and sending one home? Obviously so. I don't think the Aussies would have done this either.

While idiotic behaviour may be par for the course for Hock it's McNamara's job to manage it once he decided to select him for the squad. He may think he has laid the law down and stamped his authority on the squad but for me he's just shown himself up as a bit one dimensional without the brains to work out a way to achieve this without having to take such extreme action. If he feels the players would not respect his authority without him doing this and going as far as he did he doesn't have it anyway in my opinion.

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