WC Train on-squad

[Manu Vatuvei]

I may not make an effort to watch the Kiwis if someone gets shafted just to pander to SBW

How is it "pandering" to pick one of your best players in a 24 man squad?

How is the 25th best available player "shafted" if he doesn't make the squad?

Personally all I want is for us to pick the best available squad of willing and able players.....and anyone who doubts the effort that SBW puts in once he actually makes it out onto the field, is kidding themselves.

 

[shiznit]

I gotta admit though... As poorly handled as this has been...

It's gonna be great to see him back in a kiwis jersey again...

 

[Fast Eddie]

I gotta admit though... As poorly handled as this has been...

It's gonna be great to see him back in a kiwis jersey again...

Always good to see the best player your country has to offer playing for the Kiwis. Especially the amount of times we've had a our best players miss tournaments/games over the years.

 

[Diesel]

]There is no doubt he has gone about it poorly, probably orchestrated by his manager again. But I just don't understand how you would turn your back on supporting your national team because of one player.[/B] If he signed for Manly next season I presume that would be the end of your days supporting Manly then? Players come and go through teams that you support that you don't like, doesn't mean you just stop supporting the team/club, bit weak in my opinion. Each to their own though. I just don't try bring in off field stuff to much in to watching sport, especially in a sport riddled with off field problems.

No doubt that wanker Khoder is involved in this

Have I missed something? Who does SBW dislike?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

How is it "pandering" to pick one of your best players in a 24 man squad?

How is the 25th best available player "shafted" if he doesn't make the squad?

Personally all I want is for us to pick the best available squad of willing and able players.....and anyone who doubts the effort that SBW puts in once he actually makes it out onto the field, is kidding themselves.

So you wouldn't class it as shafting somebody who made themselves available for the tournament, got picked in the 24 man squad, rang the proud family to inform them of selection etc, and then have that taken away the next day coz a bloke couldn't make his mind up ?

 

[vinnie delpino]

Its like a miracle

 

[Panther_Daz]

Even with SBW now likely to play Jeremy Smith is a big loss in the middle of the field. Hopefully the new lock can play as tough as him and work hard in the middle.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I wonder if Jeremy Smith made himself available today if people would not want him in the squad.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

So you wouldn't class it as shafting somebody who made themselves available for the tournament, got picked in the 24 man squad, rang the proud family to inform them of selection etc, and then have that taken away the next day coz a bloke couldn't make his mind up ?

Was it poorly handled? Will someone be hurt as a result? Sure

But you're talking about it as though the wrong result will be reached in the end. The wrong result would be to not pick the best available squad because someone might have hurt feelings.

 

[Fast Eddie]

This isn't a team for an under 10's rep Rugby League side. This a grown man working professionals, national team. As Manu Vatuvei said, pick the best side available.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

"Hey Elijah, sorry but SBW is available now and as we're both well aware he is in our top 24. Someone had to drop out and it's you"

Now I know that would go down like a cup of cold sick, but if these guys are fair dinkum professional sportsmen they should understand the concept of missing out because the players picked are better than them.

 

[Meth]

Tohu Harris, gone

 

[vinnie delpino]

Tohu Harris, gone

Statement or prediction?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Yep, professional is the key word, nothing in SBW handling of the matter has been professional at all. It isn't like he was given 1 hour to make his decision, he has had all year to make it

And if Smith did the same I would be pissed off too.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Tohu Harris, gone

That'd be my prediction as well.

Taylor had his best season this year.

TBCH, I'm unsure as to how I feel about it.
SBW, undoubtedly is one of the most talented players of the modern era.

However, he knew about the World Cup long ago, this wanting a holiday doesn't really wash with me.

It comes upto what's more important, professionalism or potential results (which, tbf, we have the talent to reach that potential without him)

Either way, if he's there or not, I'll be supporting the Kiwis 100%

 

[Cold Roses]

Harris out. SBW in.

http://www.nzrl.co.nz/news-archive/sonny-bill-williams-added-to-kiwis-squad.aspx

 

[Meth]

Statement or prediction?

it was a prediction

it's now a statement

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Harris certainly wouldn't have been my pick, Harris>>>>>>>>ET

But anyway, I'm happy

 

[Cold Roses]

Harris certainly wouldn't have been my pick, Harris>>>>>>>>ET

But anyway, I'm happy

With team medicals still to come and possible injuries during the tournament, the kid may yet get his chance. You'd have to think that he'll be first cab off the rank now in that respect.

 

[Auckland4ever]

TBCH, I'm unsure as to how I feel about it.
SBW, undoubtedly is one of the most talented players of the modern era.

However, he knew about the World Cup long ago, this wanting a holiday doesn't really wash with me.

Maybe I'm giving the SBW camp too much credit, but I think this is all by design. He has a history of making sensational decisions that polarize people. When you do that, the people who hate you take as much interest in your "brand" as the people you love you. I personally think that when it comes to sport, polarizing figures are a precious commodity. A large number of the greatest sportsmen in history have divided people's opinions. Still, though, I feel sorry for Harris.