Re: England withdraw Hock : Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:49 pm  

I just despair at the whole situation.

For years we’ve been building up to this W.C, yet with only a week to go a number of players decide to break the rules.

It appears Hock’s misdemeanours warranted expulsions from the group, but didn’t he state there were about six of them?

I’ve no idea who the “stupid six” are, but come on, why would they flout the house rules, is it simply endemic of our society?

Graham has allegedly been dropped as part of the fiasco, but what of the others, have they all received the same punishment?

Re: England withdraw Hock : Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:54 pm  

The Devil's Advocate wrote:

I just despair at the whole situation.

For years we’ve been building up to this W.C, yet with only a week to go a number of players decide to break the rules.

It appears Hock’s misdemeanours warranted expulsions from the group, but didn’t he state there were about six of them?

I’ve no idea who the “stupid six” are, but come on, why would they flout the house rules, is it simply endemic of our society?

Graham has allegedly been dropped as part of the fiasco, but what of the others, have they all received the same punishment?

McIlorum and Hardaker were rumoured to be two more and they're not in so that's four altogether along with Graham and Hock.

Hock said six or seven but the poor lad probably struggled adding them all up and got his fingers in a muddle.

Re: England withdraw Hock : Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:10 pm  

The press are there to get a story. What do you expect them to do? He could have said something along the lines of Gareth's entitled to his opinion but we felt differently and the matter's now closed. He should also have had a reply ready to go about Graham because it's a fecking obvious question for them to ask. We keep banging on about being treated like the bigger sports and when we are (it's not always going to be positive) we bottle it and run away. Pathetic and handled poorly from the start...

Re: England withdraw Hock : Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:21 pm  

Madderzahatter wrote:

The press are there to get a story. What do you expect them to do? He could have said something along the lines of Gareth's entitled to his opinion but we felt differently and the matter's now closed. He should also have had a reply ready to go about Graham because it's a fecking obvious question for them to ask. We keep banging on about being treated like the bigger sports and when we are (it's not always going to be positive) we bottle it and run away. Pathetic and handled poorly from the start...

Exactly.

McNamara could have used a bit of humour or at least prepared answers to obvious questions. Instead to walks out after 6 minutes. totally out of his depth. But he did not pick himself as England coach..that will be down to Wood and his mates.

Re: England withdraw Hock : Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:27 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

Hock I could understand to an extent, but the questions were about Graham. Our Sport needs media attention, unfortunately media attention isn't all happy and praising fantastic tries. They are times when uncomfortable questions will be asked. Can't stand the heat, don't become the national coach.

If England won the World Cup and none of the journalists turned up, the board would go in to melt down about our coverage!

Tomorrow will sure how well we are prepared.

Graham is one of the top players in the World, and hasnt been selected, and McNamara has not provided any explanation as to why not. He might have expected there would be a question or two about it.

All he had to do is put a statement out similar to the Hock one; "Graham has broken one of the team rules, and has been stood down for the game". Story over.