more trouble in England camp ?

[bertina]

Just been told from a normally reliable source that mickey mac, and rangi chase have left the england camp. Don't know the reason yet, will post again when I hear more.

[AdamMac]

MM is indeed out of the semi but for no untoward reason.

Injured.

[Woody1989]

If Chase is out maybe Widdop will finally be given the starting position he deserves.

[Aluaka]

Just been told from a normally reliable source that mickey mac, and rangi chase have left the england camp. Don't know the reason yet, will post again when I hear more.

Well you are right that Rangi and Mickey Mac are not in the squad - and McBanana had stated that he had a fully fit squad to select from so that's interesting!

Widdop is in the squad and Ablett also as replacements. (Squad just announced)

[cpwigan]

The sooner we have no players in the England squad the better!

[Garry Riley]

Agreed. Then everyone would get on. :doz:

[Owd Codger]

Could Chase have been dropped for the game against New Zealand because the last time he played against them he suffered extreme abuse from their players, especially Issac Luke for playing for England. What use is a player especially in a key position if he is easily would up as he apparently was the last time.

And if there is one thing our game does not need its 'reliable sources' who actually are in the majority of cases just 'muck rakers'

[josie andrews]

Steve McNamara leaves Rangi Chase out in the cold

STEVE McNAMARA sprung a huge World Cup surprise yesterday by dropping Rangi Chase.

That means a shock recall for Gareth Widdop for tomorrow's semi-final against New Zealand.

It's a major climbdown by McNamara, who has stuck with New Zealand-born Chase for two years. The England coach has always insisted that staying loyal to halves Chase and Kevin Sinfield was the secret to success. It's a policy that saw Man of Steel Danny Brough driven out of the squad earlier this year. Widdop also looked to be getting a rough deal during this tournament, playing just 54 minutes so far. McNamara didn't even pick him in his previous two 19-man squads, even though he claimed the 19 were his best players.

But McNamara's patience has finally snapped after Chase failed to turn on the magic. He has started all four games so far and is fit but wasn't named in the 19-man squad.

McNamara has also left out hooker Michael McIlorum from the side that beat France but he is believed to have a back injury.

Leeds utility player Carl Ablett comes in, with Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow again being included.

McNamara said: "As with every week, the squad is picked with not only the opposition in mind but the best combinations for ourselves."

Brett Ferres is hoping to be picked for the fifth game running to continue his remarkable World Cup. The centre wasn't in the 24-man squad a month ago and was gutted at the thought of missing out. But Gareth Hock's sacking earned him a call-up and Ferres has grabbed it with both hands.

He started the first three games, came off the bench in the quarter-final win over France, and has scored three tries.

SQUAD: Ablett, G Burgess, S Burgess, Burrow, Charnley, Cudjoe, Farrell, Ferres, Graham, Hall, Hill, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Roby, Sinfield, Tomkins, Watkins, Westwood, Widdop.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/rugby- ... n-the-cold

[East Stand Faithful]

Just been told from a normally reliable source that mickey mac, and rangi chase have left the england camp. Don't know the reason yet, will post again when I hear more.

Well your prediction has come true albeit the official reason appears to be Chase is dropped and MM is injured.

Bertina is this the real reason or is there more trouble in camp?

Macbanana is doing a great PR job!

[Aluaka]

Let's just hope that whoever is handling PR for McBanana never has anything to do with Wigan!

Whoever it is is the biggest failure in a job ever!