https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... d-28633638 Just when he seems to be settling down to family life, Zak does something stupid.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... d-28633638 Just when he seems to be settling down to family life, Zak does something stupid.

Leigh respond

I saw this story, or rather a thread over on the other forum but it was deleted as it was based on gossip at the time.

We'll see what comes of it.

Not the best news on the eve of the season. Zak was immense for us throughout last season. Lets hope Leigh's well drilled player care can ensure he is taken care of and he continues to perform for us.

Is this a Leeds culture issue? I see two of them have recently gone teetotal. Perhaps they need educating in their teens.

It makes more sense for Leigh to help rather than punish. Zak has always appeared to be someone in need of a guiding hand and an arm around the shoulder.

Real classy statement from the jaguars. No acknowledgment of how serious the crime is but they will support Zak. WTAF?? Support him?? He’s a repeated drunk driver. Absolute scum of the earth.

Does it? Does he? The only justification for Leigh 'supporting him' is his ability as a player. As a person, he's run out of excuses and must eventually take some responsibility for his actions and face the consequences of them. Driving at speeds of up to 88 miles per hours in a residential area whilst well over the drink drive limit? This isn't having one too many and making a show of yourself on a night out. He's incredibly fortunate he's not killed anyone and that he's not in prison for a spell.

Leigh need to be stronger with him. He should be sacked really, given his history, this isn't his first very serious behavioural incident. He's a massive risk to Leigh's reputation and that of the sport.

Taken care of? Not sure that's the right approach.

Ben Barba -

2017-18 – St Helens revival
Barba attends a rehab clinic in Thailand to help with alcohol issues before playing for Toulon.

But the rugby move proves a failure and the club sack him after four games.

He joins St Helens in the English Super League and revives his league career after serving the remainder of his cocaine ban.

Saints didn't mind (taking care of him), and giving him a lifeline.

This isn’t about Ben Barba - this is about Zak Hardaker who has had a life line thrown to him and by the looks of it he’s repeating previous misdemeanours.
Every one deserves a second chance , and he’s had his.
If we would of got Sailor over the line with a view of him being able to take over the right centre spot I think we would of seen a different outcome

Quite. I'm not suggesting people don't get a second chance. Rugby league is filled with people who have messed up and been allowed a second chance, I'm not suggesting we get all high and mighty. Zac however has had several second chances now (Including both of those issues). Barba's behaviour at Saints was impeccable, it had to be or he'd have been sacked. It was after he left us that he really got himself in trouble, when he returned home to his old stomping ground. A similar problem to Hardaker, letting him live in Yorkshire was a clear error on Leigh's part and this was rather inevitable. If he gets away with it again, what is the motivation for him to change, especially if he gets treated like a baby by Leigh, as it sounds like they're going to?

Homophobic, drug taking, student beating, drunk driving multiple times. What’s next on the Zak Hardaker bingo card for a full house?