Crock Stevie to miss out again

LEEDS RHINOS star Stevie Ward has been ruled out of Saturday’s Grand Final against Castleford.

But he is clinging to the hope that he may still be included in England’s World Cup squad.

Ward, 23, who missed the Rhinos’ 2015 Grand Final win through injury, dislocated his shoulder in Friday’s semi-final win over Hull. He saw a specialist yesterday to discover the extent of the injury but coach Brian McDermott confirmed he will not be fit for Saturday.

McDermott said: “They could not get his shoulder in on Friday so he spent all night with gas and air.

“They had to put him under to do it and he woke up extremely sore and in a bad mood.

“He is in a bad way with it but I do not think it is a reconstruction-type injury.”

Ruin

England name their squad next Monday and play their opening World Cup game against Australia in Melbourne on October 27.

Asked if the injury would ruin Ward’s World Cup hopes as well, McDermott said: “There is a chance it won’t.”

A knee injury wrecked Ward’s England ambitions in 2015 and the 23-year-old found the year-long lay-off difficult to handle.

He plunged into depression for the second time in his life and launched his successful Mantality magazine to help him cope.

Meanwhile, London Broncos have blasted Andy Ackers after his controversial decision to join Toronto Wolfpack.

The 23-year-old former Warrington hooker had asked ® to be released from the final year of his contract, claiming he was struggling with homesickness.

But the Broncos were furious to discover a few days later that he had signed for Toronto to play in the Championship next season.

Chairman David Hughes said: “It is hugely disappointing. We have done what we perceive to be the right and gracious thing, allowing a young homesick player to go home and live nearer to his family, to have it essentially thrown back in our faces.”

Toronto will have an England base in Manchester next year but players could spend as much as three months of the season in Canada.

Hughes added: “We will certainly not hold any player in London against his will and can understand only too well that family comes first.

“But we will not hide the fact that the club is dissatisfied with the outcome of granting this early release.”