Link?



Gloating?

Mason didn't have a job until Dobson was de-registered, so the exact timing of events would be interesting.

So Mason wasn't getting paid then like we were led to believe by some?

You can see why they have chosen Dobson, he won't be playing for another 2 months, that gives them plenty of time to get Mason's tongan passport sorted. The thing is they reckon it will be sorted in the next few days anyway so way go through all this just to get Mason here a week early?

Depends on the terms of his contract.

Can you have a contract if you don't have a job?

Yup. An RL player needs both a contract and registration with the RFL to be able to play, but one can exist without the other.

Yes he did. He had a job with a British company. The fact that Hull KR couldn't use him in the way originally thought of is a matter for Hull KR & Mason not the UKBA.


Yes they will. It says so in the operational rules that it is at the discretion of the Board. Just because you or other people might not like their decision doesn't mean they have done anything wrong or haven't done their job.

In this kind of situation where there is obviously a delay in Mason getting a Tongan passport for (what would appear to be) bureaucratic reasons then it would seem reasonable to do as Hull KR are doing.
The only reason it would be unfair is if Mason never gets a Tongan passport at all. In which case the RFL should not re-register Dobson.

He has a visa that specifically limits him to working as an RL player. Until registered with the RFL he couldn't work as an RL player. Therefore, the primary condition of his visa was not fulfilled.

could they not just employ him as assistant coach to under 20's, or something, for abit till its all sorted?

Why should the RFL give dispensation in this example?

All I can see is HKA are trying to do something the RFL have rules against in the hope the RFL will let them off because they are signing Willie Mason (and keeping Dobson, Galea, Webster, Green, and Clinton)

What extenuating circumstances are there that means the RFL should give dispensation in this case?

As I understood it the process wasn't as specific and he would simply be listed as a "sportsperson" although I may have that wrong. But I'm sure he could easily switch to becoming a temporary coach whilst the situation is sorted out. Also he can still enter the country without it particularly being an issue for UKBA, as long as he doesn't work until he does fullfill the conditions of being an RL player.

The extenuating circumstances are that Mason has been promised and is expecting to receive a Tongan passport in the very near future (and probably should have received it before now) which would take him off the "Overseas Quota". If Mason had received his Tongan passport last week this wouldn't be a problem.

Also just because you disagree with a decision the RFL may make (We havent even got anywhere the re-registration of Dobson yet) in the future doesn't mean that they are wrong or aren't doing their job as governing body.

And if Galea had received his passport then Willie wouldnt need his. Those arent extenuating circumstances, its a club which tried to get more overseas players than they should be allowed under the regulations, failing in their attempts to use loopholes.

This is a clear and unarguable attempt to circumvent the quota rules. This is the reason that this clause regarding re-registering was put in to the operational rules and it applies specifically to overseas players.

If the RFL arent applying their rules and only using discretion in exceptional and extenuating circumstances then they arent doing their job.

Is he really? Perhaps you would like to enlighten me as to where he is "gloating like mad" as I've just been on the forum and can find absolutely no evidence of it. Tell me the thread and the page though please keep in mind I've just checked all his posts to see if I could find out what you are going on about.

Indeed, be interesting to see what happens if Mason get injured (not hoping he does, I hope he gets shown up as a spent force)

You do have it wrong. His visa will be for him to work in the UK as a rugby league player



No he can't. Unless the job description of rugby league player included some element of coaching. I can't see why it would.



Correct.

Mason was supposed to have a Tongan passport now, and therefore be off quota - due to circumstances beyond the control of HKR this hasnt happened in time.

Sounds like circumstances that this rule would have been written for.

I guess the original intention of the rule was to stop clubs signing big name Aussies on short term contracts, and then re-registering a player they had to release to accomodate them.

Given that Mason will be here for a number of years on a Tongan passport, I can see why the RFL would agree to a dispensation in this case.

Why would the RFL write a rule and use their dispensation to not only allow but to expedite a player circumventing the quota?

Because that is the only reason Mason needs a Tongan passport.

For what you have put to be correct, the RFL would need to WANT clubs to circumvent the overseas quota and have introduced a rule to allow this. Considering what the RFL have publicly said regarding overseas players and commitment to youth i can only expect they feel the opposite.

You are basically arguing the RFL give dispensation to the re-registering of Dobson because HKA's attempts to circumvent the quota with loophopes through Galea and Mason have failed.

Hi Rob

Thank you for the compliment but yet again you are wrong just like the rest of your kind.

Oh and regardless of your comment nothing detracts from the lies being spouted.

This obviously applies to Mason but what about Dobson? If he's not now working as an RL player then presumably his visa becomes invalid.

I believe he has 28 days to find new employment before any such provision would kick in. Assuming that anyone has alerted UKBA to his change in circumstances of course...

We have, Willie is now Tongan, Vella is now Maltese, Lovegrove is home trained, Fisher is now McFisher and Newton is a Yank. What more do you want