Brian Carney's good week/bad week: England World Cup selection and Zak Hardaker controversy
Tuesday 10 October 2017 19:01, UK
Brian Carney reacts to the England World Cup squad selection, the Zak Hardaker controversy and reviews Leeds Rhinos' Grand Final win over Castleford Tigers.
Solid squad can travel to World Cup with optimism
Forums will feature some hot debate this week over the England World Cup squad selection, but people need to realise that these squads are never picked on form alone. Players will be picked on previous experience and potential, as well as form.
People will point out Ben Currie and how he has only played four games this season. But I'm guessing he's been picked because Wayne Bennett thinks Ben is a fantastic player and feels he is fresh and rested. He's not worried that he hasn't played many games this year.
There has also been some questions asked of Mark Percival selection. But he is in favour probably, because there is no Zak there now.
So, Sam Tomkins didn't make the squad either!
You could make an argument for and against his inclusion. And the same for Kevin Brown who is included but was part of a Warrington team that had a shocking season.
Matty Ashurst of Wakefield had a great season in the back row and I'd have loved to see him in that squad because I think he would have added some raw enthusiasm. But personally speaking, there are no big surprises.
One selection I have been enthused by is Alex Walmsley. I think if he brings his 'A-game,' teams will find him very difficult to deal with. He's a leading metre-maker in Super League, can skittle defenders and get an arm free to get away offloads. He brings something different to the front row.
England have a forward pack now that with James Graham, Sam Burgess, Alex Walmsley, Josh Hodgson, Elliot Whitehead, Mike McMeeken, Sean O'Loughlin and John Bateman - well, an argument could be made that it's the strongest pack in the World Cup.
Will that team instil fear in the Aussies and the Kiwis? No. But are they capable of beating Australia and New Zealand? Yes.
There is no hyperbole or hype about this team, which is good. But I think English people can be cautiously optimistic about their side's chances.
Hardaker case highlights worrying trend
Some people are saying we have to have sympathy for Zak. But why? What if Castleford had a major sponsor and they pulled out because of this controversy? Zak has already been given chances.
In the past, he's been thrown off the England World Cup squad, banned for a homophobic slur against a referee and found himself in hot water over an attack on a student in Leeds.
There needs to be a bigger discussion at some stage because I feel we look after players better than ever before. And there is an argument to say that we have the balance of player welfare wrong and we have almost gone too far, creating a context where too much personal responsibility is being taken away from players.
But the likes of Zak Hardaker need to accept responsibility for their actions and the damage they have done.
Leeds sparkle but Grand Final fails to shine
The quality of the game was disappointing but Leeds played their hand and the conditions brilliantly. They played to their strengths and Castleford never fired a shot.
I can't quite put my finger on why?
The easy answer would be to say Castleford choked. I'm not sure that's true but there's a collection of players who had poor games and didn't hit the levels they'd hit previously this year.
And if Leeds delivered this kind of performance during the year, they'd be pretty critical of themselves. But in the context of the Grand Final their winning performance was outstanding.
The Grand Final is not an easy place to get to or get back to. Castleford have been so good for so long this season and despite topping the league and getting to the Grand Final for the first time in history they'd have woke on Sunday morning feeling all that counted for little.
But despite stealing their thunder, Leeds' win was a remarkable story. Danny McGuire deserved the man of match award and the turnaround of their fortunes has been remarkable against a side that beat them 66-10 earlier in the season.
There was that nagging doubt among Castleford supporters before the game that Leeds would be able to do it on the big stage and Castleford wouldn't - and it proved they didn't have the answers on Saturday.
What the future holds for Castleford is anyone's guess. They are not going to become a bad team overnight but I can't stress how hard it is to have the season they've had all over again and get to the Grand Final.
But for Leeds, the title confirms their status as the Super League's most successful ever club.
