They probably expected him to act in a professional manner and behave like a person who was proud to represent his country and also to be very thankful that despite previous misdemeanours he has been provided the opportunity to play for England on the biggest stage in his sport

They probably expected this but they did not get it

There is only one person to come out of this badly and it is Gareth Hock – to read this whole situation in a different way is incredible

That Hock doesn't see why he's being treated differently to the rest of those who went out on Saturday night should be used as a poster campaign for the dangers of drug use.

It's clearly eaten away what little brain he was born with.

Spot on.

The only thing that was handled incorrectly was that it should have been announced hock had picked up an injury and would miss the tournament.

Sometimes it's best to keep these things in house and it would have prevented so much media speculation and interview from hock.

It seems that the rumours about Graham, McIllroum and Hardaker being dropped are true.

1. It's conveniently gone from being late to missing a whole day at work. The having one beer at the weekend argument is weak also because my employer doesn't have rules preventing me having a drink at weekend.

2. You are totally missing the point that a drinking rule means no drinking regardless of it being one or ten.

3. Do you think Hock would have been dropped from the squad had he not been drinking and then overslept?

Look I'm not defending Hock I'm just saying he's taking all the flak when six other players have stepped out of line also.

1. That was the whole day's activies for the squad as far as I'm aware. Change it to 1 beer vs 30 minutes late if you want.
2. In motoring there is a "no speeding" rule but we treat 31mph in a 30 zone differently to 180mph in a 30 zone. Do you think that is wrong.
3. Yes.

1. Insider knowledge have we Richie?

2. That's irrelevant to this argument. If you break the speed limit and get caught you face punishment. Are you now trying to use an anology that the other six players were doing 31mph and Hock was doing 180mph in drinking terms?

3. That's ridiculous. Would you feel the same way if Tomkins, Westwood, Roby or Sinfield were dropped from the squad and publicly humiliated for simply oversleeping?

hasn't Hock admitted giving McNamara a verbal assault too when he rang him?

The other players have seemingly been dropped for this weeks game for going out drinking, and accepted their punishment. Hock didnt turn up for training, then lost it with the coach.

I'm baffled that some people still perceive Gareth Hock as having been treated unfairly in this situation; he has been treated differently, but given his past misdemeanours, it's entirely appropriate that any sanction against him is more serious than against those who have a clean sheet.

In a work situation, if you're on a final written warning and I'm not, and we both get caught in a breach of the company rules, you'll get sacked and I won't; it's not that complicated to understand.

The way I understood it was Hock lost his cool with McNamara when he was told he was out of the squad.

If the other rule breaking players are now being punished at least it's been acknowledged. I just can't imagine the other players copping hardly any criticism despite their actions also weakening England's chances on Saturday.

1. No, just the same public domain information that has mentioned two parts of training and nothing else.
2. I'm pointing out the illogical nature of your absolute stance. See the earlier question on your definition of "on the lash"
3. Hock did not "simply oversleep" he missed training.

1 . It's irrelevant to the previous argument because a whole day can't be compared to an hour.
2. Abolitional stance, hardly read my previous comments. I don't have an issue with the punishment I just have an issue with others persecuting Hock and failing to acknowledge other players broke team rules to.
3. Yes Hock simply overslept and missed training. The same question applies.

1. If your working day is one hour long, it is. Hock missed the whole day. It doesn't matter if training is 10 minutes or eight hours. It doesn't matter if it's a swim or walkthroughs. Players cannot miss training.
2. I have read your previous comments. I can only think you didn't understand mine, which (in other words) pointed out the fallacy of you wanting to treat half a pint the same as sixteen.
3. Any player missing training, without pre-agreement or a hell of an excuse, should face severe sanctions.

I want to feel sorry for Hock... but then I remember he is a thug who hasn't got 2 braincells to rub together and I can't.

Has anyone heard him speak about the incident to the BBC? He makes Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield sound like MENSA candidates.

www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/rl/e ... -1.1093453 [i“But we reviewed it the day after and put it to the back of our minds."[/i so as well as missing a 10 minute swim, and a medical, it also looks like he missed the review session of the Italy game.

www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/rl/e ... -1.1093453 [i“But we reviewed it the day after and put it to the back of our minds."[/i so as well as missing a 10 minute swim, and a medical, it also looks like he missed the review session of the Italy game.

Being reported McNamara has walked out of today's press conference after fielding an onslaught of questions on Hock and Graham.

Just gets better...

If you ever wanted a bunch of people to pick up a negative and run with it to the exclusion of all the positives around them, you can usually trust the RL press.

It's almost like some of them don't want to be employed any more.

That said, all McNamara had to do was go into Mourinho mode and just keep saying "It's dealt with. Next question."

Good on him. I think McNamara's handled the situation well.

Nice one Steve! We finally get media attention on the World Cup and you walk out of a press conference. This could have been dealt with straight away, say what's happened, say you find it unacceptable and say why they have been punished. End of. The media will ask
A few Questions about it but if you answer them they will move on.

Walking out of a press conference just intensifies speculation! Maybe Hock was scapegoated...

Or maybe he's fully focussed on the game and doesn't want to be distracted by talking about childish idiots like Hock.

Only in his own head.

Half a dozen players allegedly broke the drinking ban. Only one failed to make it on time to the rehab and review session the following morning.

If everyone had committed the same indiscretions Hock might have had a point. However, as usual with Gareth, he had to go that bit further than everyone else.

Poor comparison
Neither Sinfield nor Peacock are unintelligent, they just are not excitable speakers.
Sinfield speaks very intelligently, just not media freindly

By that example Hock just has a problem presenting himself.
Clearly he has a problem even dressing himself.

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.

Fully agree.

I might not rate McNamara but some brain dead players have put him in a tough position and he's handled it all pretty well. This isn't a jolly boys outing, its a World Cup and the lads should feel honoured enough in having this opportunity, that they fall in line with what the coach wants. The lads that haven't have been punished and a line has been drawn under it within the squad.

We've got bigger fish to fry then wasting time discussing why Graham has been left out and Hock thrown out. It's obvious what's gone on so there's nothing to be added.