Dwainwatch, Day Four
To Castleford, again, to see Dwain twain - sorry Dwain train. I wasn't alone on Thursday, what with all the rubberneckers on Wheldon Road and a Tesco "you shop, we drop" van that parked up for a spot of Chambers action. It would have been a typical morning at The Jungle - the beer delivery lorry arrived early, players were signing club shirts in the restaurant - had there not been so many cameras trained on the man who has helped generate so many rugby league headlines, but who you can't help but wonder whether will ever pull on a Tigers shirt in anger. See the Chambers latest here in Friday's Times.
This whole story has been one of nods, winks and contradictory statements. Having now said that he had his tongue in cheek when he declared on Monday that Chambers could well feature against St Helens on Saturday - why, I'm not sure, because April Fool's Day was a day off - Castleford coach Terry Matterson declared before Thursday's training session that there was no way he'd be playing Chambers in either the first team or reserves on Sunday, because it would be too dangerous for him.
"He's not playing on Sunday," said Matterson. "I wouldn't do that. His safety is important as well. You can't put someone in who is not prepared physically and mentally as well. I think the look on his face (at the press conference) said it all. I think that would be dangerous, to be honest, and I don't think he or the club can afford that. As well, it probably wouldn't be fair on the young guys. We've a couple of young kids who would probably get more out of being included."
It was like Dark Skies times at the The Jungle, with others proclaiming that Matterson had meant what he said on Monday and suggesting that the RFL was somehow behind the press release by Castleford, shortly before Chambers spoke in a live Sky Sports interview on Wednesday evening, that he would not play in the first team at the weekend, but which still held out the prospect of him playing in the curtain-raiser. While Matterson also dashed this prospect today, others were not so sure Chambers wouldn't make some sort of appearance.
Michael Robinson, the Castleford football manager, said it was a coaching call, but wondered whether an 18th man appearance on Sunday would help Chambers get a feel of match day preparation and being part of the team. All of which brings us to competition rules and section B1:12 (which sounds a bit like a vitamin) on fielding full-strength sides. Basically, anyone brought in from outside the first-team squad must be of "Super League standard - determined by the League's performance department." A subjective view, arguably, but based on four days' work, if Chambers is ready to play 80 minutes of rugby league, then I'm ready to go on stage in Tannhauser (I can't sing).
To the training, such as it was. Chambers was last to emerge from the dressing room. "No more spikes and vest," he told the posse of waiting photographers. The Cas lads played up to the cameras before settling down. It took Chambers five minutes to get a pass in their short ball drill. He took it cleanly and ambitiously leapt at a subsequent hospital pass. No problem in the sprint drills - "I've never seen someone so quick," Matterson said - and wrestling with the mighty Awen Guttenbeil and slighter figure of Richard Owen presented few discernable problems.
He'd got a sweat on and was gulping water and an energy drink before what might be described as light contact work with training pads, during which he flinched a few times but generally stood his ground as the big guys thundered through. While the first team broke away to work on tactics for Sunday, Chambers concentrated on the personal programme of fitness, development and crash course in rugby league devised for him - yes, including how many points for a try that had stumped him at the start of the week.
* Whether Chambers plays some part on Sunday or not, it'll still be the first time that CNN have applied for press accreditation at Castleford!
He's got more personality in his thumb than the whole GB team put together. Finally a player who actually has something to say for himself rather than ermmmmmmmmm.... zzzzzzzzz
Posted by: Broxy | 4 Apr 2008 18:31:43
Yawn. boring. He is never going to play a game in rugby league he just wants some publicity and he is getting it.
People see him getting bruised a bit in rugby league , feel a bit sorry for him, allow him to run in beijing or wherever the hell these druggies race. Whatever the outcome he has no intent on ever playing first team football for Castleford and never will.
Posted by: Cadoo | 3 Apr 2008 21:00:17
Mike, I'm lovong this soap opera. It's better than Corrie. MORE PLEASE!
Posted by: Smitty | 3 Apr 2008 19:33:31
Wow.... turn on tune in drop out.... man groovy go fella yeah baby! racer racer, Tigers go groovy man
Posted by: Timothy Leary | 3 Apr 2008 19:22:58
I am bored with this twit move on Chris...... next please
Posted by: Mike Hunt | 3 Apr 2008 19:21:04
Saw Chambers training on Sky. Mmm, not so sure. Looked hard work for him and Sunday was always too early. What betting Sky push for him to play in the televised match against Hull next Friday ?
Posted by: Smitty | 3 Apr 2008 16:38:33