Hardaker in shock World Cup exit

The full-back/centre pulled out of Steve McNamara’s squad yesterday citing “personal issues” but the statement from the national side came after a weekend of speculation he had been the latest player embroiled in an alcohol-related incident.

McNamara sent Salford City Reds second-row Gareth Hock home just four days before the tournament after he broke a drink-ban in the aftermath of the shock friendly loss to Italy and missed a recovery session the following morning. Hardaker was believed to be among a group of players drinking that night who were subsequently not selected to face Australia in their opening game.

McNamara reacted angrily when rumours surfaced before Saturday’s fixture against Ireland that the 22-year-old – who did not travel with the squad to Huddersfield – had been jettisoned altogether following more disciplinary problems.

The England coach insisted “absolutely not” and claimed the media was making things up to disrupt his squad.

The official line was that Hardaker, Super League’s Young Player of the Year in 2012, was ill.

But the player has now withdrawn informing the England management that he is “unable to commit” to their programme and he will not be replaced, leaving McNamara with a 23-man squad ahead of Saturday’s crucial final Group A game against Fiji at Hull. The statement added that England will liaise with Leeds to help Hardaker at this time.

However, Hetherington himself is awaiting more clarification on the details.

“I will be speaking to the RFL and with Zak and getting a better understanding of what it’s all about,” he said.

“I have seen a copy of the statement that’s gone out, but that’s as much as I know.”

Asked if the West Yorkshire club would support Hardaker through his personal problems, the Leeds CEO added: “We are very strong on player welfare issues, but until I get an understanding of what those are it is difficult to comment.”

The statement from England Rugby League said: “Due to personal issues, Zak Hardaker is unable to commit to the England Rugby League programme and has informed the England RL management team that he wishes to withdraw from the squad and will not play any further part in Rugby League World Cup 2013.

“No replacement has been called up.

“England Rugby League will work with Zak’s club, Leeds Rhinos, to support him during this period.

“Zak requests that the media respects his privacy at this time. The matter is now closed.”

England may have got their tournament up and running with a big victory against Ireland and they are widely expected to be too strong for Fiji at the weekend.

However, there are still dark clouds hanging over them after what has been an unexpectedly turbulent campaign away from the field.

In fairness, Hardaker’s omission should not concern their footballing plans too much given he was down the pecking order in the fight for places.

The world’s costliest player Sam Tomkins, of course, is cemented at full-back while Hardaker’s Leeds colleague Kallum Watkins and Huddersfield Giants’ Leroy Cudjoe have secured themselves the centre berths over the last 18 months.

Furthermore, McNamara prefers not to have a three-quarter on the bench so – unless there was some significant injuries in the three weeks ahead – it is unlikely the Pontefract-born player would have forced his way in.

That said, Huddersfield’s Brett Ferres has shown how things can change so quickly; the second-row was not even in McNamara’s original 24-man squad but is expected to start for the third successive game against Fiji having profited from Hock’s expulsion.

Things had looked so differently for Hardaker just over a fortnight ago when he had produced an impressive man-of-the-match performance for England Knights in their win against Samoa and had pushed forward his claims for a place in the 17 versus Australia.

One of the best broken-field runners in Super League, he has won two Grand Finals with Leeds since joining from Featherstone Rovers in a reported £60,000 deal three years ago.

He arrived as a prolific centre but has thrived further since switching to full-back last year when Leeds custodian Brent Webb suffered a severe back injury.

Hardaker won his only cap as full-back in the absence of Tomkins for the opening match of the 2012 autumn international series against Wales in Wrexham, where he scored two tries in an 80-12 victory.

He has, though, been part of their elite training squad for the last 18 months.

Hardaker is contracted at Headingley until the end of 2016 but, following the arrival of Hull FC and England colleague Tom Briscoe, he continues to be linked with a move to newly-crowned champions Wigan Warriors.

Leeds are set to announce the signing of Papua New Guinea hooker Paul Aiton from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats this morning after agreeing a fee with their West Yorkshire neighbours.

Fiji centre Kane Evans, meanwhile, is free to play against England after being given a caution for a high tackle against Australia.