Agree with Sgt Pepper.
Hock missed training he had to go.
The others turned up for training, in what state we don't know. They had to be disciplined and were. Trouble is the wrong kind of discipline damaged the team.
Those stood down should have played and been fined their match fees, perhaps for more than one game.
McNamara got what was coming at the press conf. Give journos half a story and they will want to know the full story and persue by repeated questioning. The RFL media men should have anticipated this and dealt with it competantly from the start. He walked out because he couldn't control the journos and that's his fault too. He should be well trained to handle the media by now. If he isn't then he isn't up to that part of the job as well.
As for his coaching ability, or lack of it, well no need to go on really.

Despite being kicked out of the squad it was his interview on BBC Sport that really surprised me - it got me thinking who is advising Hock to do this? and perhaps the problem is that nobody is or nobody who cares for him anyway - it was just cringe worthy to watch from the moment the interview started.

surely players share rooms why didnt the other player say "c"mon time to go" (unless it was another second row!!!)

Martin Offiah tweeted exactly the same thing asking who was Hocks room mate?

It made me think that there could be more to this (unless it was Ferres)

I get the impression it's been a career-long problem for Gareth that he's been taking advice from people whom no-one should ever listen to under any circumstances.

I agree.
Look, he is a good Rugby player but seems to be easily led by his "mates" and will listen to them before anyone else.

Has he actually won anything in a Wigan shirt? He was doing drugs so missed out in 2010 when we won the league and 2011 when we won the Challenge Cup and after his greedy demands at the end of 2012 he's now missed out on them both again in our double winning year. We do just fine without him and I'm sure England's form will not suffer either.

From his own personal point of view though losing out on 4 winners medals/rings through being a twit has got to smart.

The thing is though, it's like being an alcoholic ... you can only start to resolve the problem when you finally admit that you've got one.

Gareth's interview on the BBC the other day - during which he looked mystified as to why he was being punished - indicates that he still thinks he's being picked on, and is a long way from accepting that he is the main one at fault.

You are right though, he's paid a terrible price for this attitude and for the idiots he has around him. He's now 30 and is effectively a veteran - that more or less means he's botched his entire career.

as far as I know, they weren't in camp on Saturday night - so he would have been staying at home. The camp re-started in Loughborough on Monday.

Correct

Finally Conclusive proof that members of the England squad are furious with McBanana for sending poor Gareth home! Nice to see that certain people on here have been proved right in their proclamation team spirit had been demolished by this mismanagement www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/ru ... -1-6190256 Oh, hang on...........

Finally Conclusive proof that members of the England squad are furious with McBanana for sending poor Gareth home! Nice to see that certain people on here have been proved right in their proclamation team spirit had been demolished by this mismanagement www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/ru ... -1-6190256 Oh, hang on...........

People who were noticeable by their silence as the season progressed to a rather successful climax.

I don't rate McNamara one bit after his tenure at Bradford and England's performances since his appointment. Problem for me is I think was right in sending Hock home. He missed training after a drinking session and there's no place for that.

That article quoting Hall is dreadful. Hall, whatever he may think, should not say anything like that for publication. It looks like the RFL are getting their mates at the YP to try and repair the damage they inflicted on the game by their PR mishandling of the drinking incident.

McNamara should not have stood down Graham, Hardaker or McIlorum, he weakened the team by doing so. He should have made them play and their disciplinary punishment should have been massive fines all round. Perhaps a match fee, make them play a game and their pay confiscated.

The whole matter was handled dreadfully by the RFL and McNamara. What was Ledger doing whilst all this was going on and what was his part in it?

Thank goodness the Rugby is that good and the crowds superb those same players who let the side down can reflect how the whole of Rugby League is getting behind the World Cup apart from them!