Grand Final 2017: Castleford Tigers drop Zak Hardaker over unspecified 'breach of club rules' in boost for Leeds Rhinos
The bombshell announcement comes less than 48 hours after Hardaker was named runner-up to team-mate Luke Gale as the Super League Man of Steel
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Your support makes all the difference.Castleford Tigers have left England international Zak Hardaker out of their squad for Saturday's Betfred Super League Grand Final following a breach of club rules.
The club are not divulging the background to the breach but clearly feel strongly enough to drop one of their most important players for the biggest game in their 91-year history.
The 25-year-old full-back has enjoyed a stunning return to form in his first season with the Tigers following his exit from Saturday's opponents Leeds.
A statement by the club said: "Zak Hardaker is unavailable for selection due to a breach of club rules. The club will make no further comment at this point as full attention is focused on Saturday's Grand Final."
The bombshell announcement comes less than 48 hours after Hardaker was named runner-up to team-mate Luke Gale as the 2017 Steve Prescott Man of Steel.
The timing could hardly be worse for Castleford but Hardaker is no stranger to controversy.
He was axed from the England squad during the 2013 World Cup due to a breach of discipline which earned him a final warning from Leeds.
Hardaker got his career back on track, helping the Rhinos complete the domestic treble in 2015 and winning the Man of Steel award while he was full-back for England in their Test series triumph over New Zealand.
He suffered a loss of form the following season, which he put down to personal issues, and finished the campaign on loan to Australian club Penrith Panthers before being thrown a lifeline by Castleford.
His return to form earned him a recall for England's mid-season Test match against Samoa in Sydney but now his place in the end-of-season World Cup is in serious doubt.
England coach Wayne Bennett will be anxiously awaiting developments as he prepares to announce his 24-man squad on Monday.
More immediately, Castleford coach Daryl Powell looks set to switch leading tryscorer Greg Eden to full-back for Saturday's game, with Jy Hitchcox brought in to plug the gap on the wing.
Castleford are on the threshold of their greatest moment but they have a track record of maintaining strict discipline.
Rangi Chase was twice suspended earlier in the season for separate incidents before being transferred to Widnes, where he subsequently failed a doping test.
In addition to his indiscretions during his time with England, Hardaker served a five-match ban in 2014 for a homophobic insult towards a referee.
And in 2015, after being detained and questioned on suspicion of assault, he was forced to pay £200 in compensation and write a letter of apology to the victim.
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