The press says wakey are planning to sign Frank Winterstein.

This guy has played only 4/5 NRL games (so he is nowhere near the 50% RFL criteria) and there is no evidence of him playing for Samoa (being a squad member does not meet RFL criteria).

If this guy is to be allowed in then the RFL will have to give it their blessing.

The whole point of the rules is to ensure overseas players in SL have some proven quality. That we are not displacing British prospects with unproven overseas players.

The RFl should stick to their criteria and not allow Winterstein in.

This is not anti wakey. For eg I have no objection to Stosic being given the okay.

I thought Samoans got through on the EU/Kolpak ruling, as exempt from quota?

Don't the Home Office have their own criteria when it comes to granting work permits? (Something like "must have played certain %age of NRL / internationals?).

Under the old system, yes (provided that they could get a work permit).

The quota today is based on where a player was trained, not on their nationality. You could be an Australian and still be considered as a 'home trained' player.

No really

Aye O.K

I'm pretty sure Shad Royston @ Halifax falls under that criteria if thats a help to anyone.

Quote ="Marsdengiant"The press says wakey are planning to sign Frank Winterstein. This guy has played only 4/5 NRL games (so he is nowhere near the 50% RFL criteria) and there is no evidence of him playing for Samoa (being a squad member does not meet RFL criteria). If this guy is to be allowed in then the RFL will have to give it their blessing. The whole point of the rules is to ensure overseas players in SL have some proven quality. That we are not displacing British prospects with unproven overseas players. The RFl should stick to their criteria and not allow Winterstein in. This is not anti wakey. For eg I have no objection to Stosic being given the okay.'" www.metro.co.uk/sport/rugby/arti ... _a_source= Think this may be the same Frankie playing for Samoa against England and scoring. Think he also played for Samoa v Tonga Sept 2006.

Quote ="Marsdengiant"The press says wakey are planning to sign Frank Winterstein. This guy has played only 4/5 NRL games (so he is nowhere near the 50% RFL criteria) and there is no evidence of him playing for Samoa (being a squad member does not meet RFL criteria). If this guy is to be allowed in then the RFL will have to give it their blessing. The whole point of the rules is to ensure overseas players in SL have some proven quality. That we are not displacing British prospects with unproven overseas players. The RFl should stick to their criteria and not allow Winterstein in. This is not anti wakey. For eg I have no objection to Stosic being given the okay.'" www.metro.co.uk/sport/rugby/arti ... _a_source= Think this may be the same Frankie playing for Samoa against England and scoring. Think he also played for Samoa v Tonga Sept 2006.

And how do you know this?

Googled him but can't find any proof whether or not he has played for Samoa.

Quote ="No1_Saints _Fan"Googled him but can't find any proof whether or not he has played for Samoa.'" www.metro.co.uk/sport/rugby/arti ... _a_source= Think he was actually on the books of Sydney Roosters at the time,unless this is a completely different Frank Winterstein

Quote ="No1_Saints _Fan"Googled him but can't find any proof whether or not he has played for Samoa.'" www.metro.co.uk/sport/rugby/arti ... _a_source= Think he was actually on the books of Sydney Roosters at the time,unless this is a completely different Frank Winterstein

Think he has been at the Roosters.

Arn't we mixing up quotas and visa/work permits here.

If he has a Samoan Passport then doesn't he have a more or less automatic right of entry under the Kolpac agreement? Whether he has played enough NRL or international games would not matter.

The fact that he would count as a quota player is a different issue altogether, isn't it? Or have I missed something.

Try telling that to Marsdengiant!!!!!

Thought so.

It looks like he has played for Samoa then,in the Fed cup in 2006.

Its interesting that the topic starter has now gone quiet - he seemed to make an issue out of the fact he hadnt actually played for Samoa,which now appears incorrect.

criminal records also.

I am here sweetcheeks

We now have the press cuttings. thanks for them. I looked at his Bulldogs profile and it said no reps honours. (maybe Oz clubs think developmental games are not proper reps games)

If he played for samoa three years ago as a tier 2 country then that may be enough. Box ticked and over he may pop.

Still rather sad that a game for a developmental Samoan side 3 years ago is enough. Not being able to get games in a NRL team that had problems in its back row last year is not an impediment.

If our game is strengthened by bring over reserve grade NRL players so be it

No.

A Kolpak player still requires a work permit to enter the UK but once they have that, they have to be given the same employment rights as a EU citizen.

I love it how you always exagerate ,3 years since he played for Samoa??
Actually bit closer to 2years isnt it??
It was you that made the big deal about him not playing for Samoa - when you can see he has.

Just let all the bitterness spill out,go on, have a good old cry.

You could have quite simply admitted you made a mistake.

But hey ho,you can now keep your fingers crossed that he doesnt get a Visa.

still, it does pose the question of why Wakefield are willing to take a punt on an untried, untested Samoan, yet not on a young british player

Is there really any need to sign this player. Is there not a suitable reserve/academy prospect within the club, or a Championship player.

I am all for 'big name' overseas players who bring something to SL but this guy is a complete unknown (to fans) by the sounds of it. If there is not an ideal British player at the same standard then we really should ask, why not?

Unfortunately the recent RFL backtrack on the number of imports has allowed this singing, and many like it, to happen.

I’m disappointed that another import will be playing for Trinity next season but the fact is the a pack already lacking in depth suffered the loss of Moore for the season dues to illness and the youth players not already in the 25 man squad are not up to it yet. In terms of numbers he is needed. Trinity had a part time player in their 17 against Leeds.

Whether or not there are better players in the championship is another matter. The club have recruited heavily from this source in the past and many have worked out but perhaps there just was not the talent there this time.

So transparent isn't he/she, one very nasty poster is this one mate if you rattle it's cage(s).

Am I? Oh dear.

Really? Young British players have been holding our team together for most of last season and the start of this one, still they're not up to the whino standard of youngster so you wouldn't have noticed them would you

Aye they get their rs's smacked in their trolling attempts on our board so have to come on the VT to rally support