Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 6:51 pm  

Wayne Bennett has apparently said in todays press conference that all the players who havent yet played will play against Scotland, with the exception of Stevie Ward.

I understand the argumnets that he will be training with good players but was it seriously worth him cancelling that American road trip? He probably lost thousands given he was due to fly the day after the call up and missed out on the chance of a rest before pre-season with Leeds starts.

He may as well have gone on holiday and hung up when Bennett called him up.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:09 pm  

F#@! O##

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:14 pm  

MarioRugby wrote:

Wayne Bennett has apparently said in todays press conference that all the players who havent yet played will play against Scotland, with the exception of Stevie Ward.

I understand the argumnets that he will be training with good players but was it seriously worth him cancelling that American road trip? He probably lost thousands given he was due to fly the day after the call up and missed out on the chance of a rest before pre-season with Leeds starts.

He may as well have gone on holiday and hung up when Bennett called him up.

It's more of a pity that Cuthbo did not take you with him. He could have gone into upstate Washington or if needed Alaska and fed you to a grizzly.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:36 pm  

He missed a large chunk of the season he didn't really need a break. I thought he might get a shot against Scotland. He will certainly be the freshest player.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 9:36 pm  

I'm sure he was under no illusions about getting in the match day 17 when he was drafted in. He knew it was a 24 man squad and he didn't make the initial 24 selected.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:13 pm  

I thought he came across very well in his interview pitch side at the weekend. Seems upbeat about getting back playing again after such a long lay off and the set backs he has had so early in his career. As others have said, i guess he is just glad to be involved again and being around the international set up so soon after his return is probably just what he needs.

regards OP, of course he has done the right thing It's called professionalism. Bennett will have noted it for sure. Doubt it will be seen as a waste of time if it gives him a spring board into a top 2017 season finishing with a place in the WC team.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:32 pm  

I think it's screams volumes about Stevie and how much he is thought of by the England coaching staff.

A great leader in the making.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:58 pm  

Ward isn't ready yet at this point in his comeback to be facing International rugby. Being in the setup and around the team and coaches for 12 months time is the key thing.

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Wed Nov 02, 2016 7:22 am  

ThePrinter wrote:

Ward isn't ready yet at this point in his comeback to be facing International rugby. Being in the setup and around the team and coaches for 12 months time is the key thing.

I would agree you have a point were this Aus or NZ we were playing. Playing Scotland will be no more intense/difficult for his team than the games he played for Leeds in the Middle 8s

Re: Should Stevie Ward have gone on holiday? : Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:29 am  

Biff Tannen wrote:

I thought he came across very well in his interview pitch side at the weekend. Seems upbeat about getting back playing again after such a long lay off and the set backs he has had so early in his career. As others have said, i guess he is just glad to be involved again and being around the international set up so soon after his return is probably just what he needs.

regards OP, of course he has done the right thing It's called professionalism. Bennett will have noted it for sure. Doubt it will be seen as a waste of time if it gives him a spring board into a top 2017 season finishing with a place in the WC team.

^^^this, very impressed with his BBC interview future Leeds ands England captain in the making