England’s preparations for the World Cup took a further hit on Tuesday night when Gareth Hock was thrown out of the squad by officials following a series of “serious breaches” of discipline.
The forward, who has been replaced in Steve McNamara’s 24-man squad by Huddersfield’s Brett Ferres, played in England’s shock warm-up defeat by Italy on Saturday but has not been with the squad since. Ferres will immediately step up having travelled with the team as a reserve for their pre-tournament training camp at altitude in South Africa.
England have been preparing for their World Cup opener with Australia at a training camp in Loughborough without Hock, who had been expected to feature against the Kangaroos.
However, the 30-year-old second-row, who will join the Super League side Salford for next season, will not rejoin the squad and his international future now appears in serious jeopardy.
An England Rugby League statement read: “As a result of serious breaches of team discipline that have fallen below the strict code of conduct as agreed by team management, Gareth Hock has been withdrawn from the England Rugby League World Cup squad with immediate effect. He is replaced by Huddersfield Giants player Brett Ferres.
“There will be no further comment issued by England Rugby League on this matter.”
It is not the first time that the 30-year-old second-row has courted controversy during his career.
In 2009 a urine sample tested positive for cocaine after a match between Wigan and Salford, with the player receiving a two-year ban.
Hock signed a new contract with Wigan when he returned from his suspension in 2011 but then endured a public fallout with his club before joining Widnes on a season-long loan. He was due to move to the Australian side Parramatta Eels next year but pulled out of the deal.
Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/o-shea-and-lenihan-hit-out-at-pro-game-in-scotland-1-3108101
Gareth Hock thrown out of England"s Rugby League World Cup squad
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