has had his contract scrapped to make way for willie mason who's tongan passport did'nt come through...according to andy wilson on twitter!

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=21315 Thursday 10th March 11 The RFL can confirm that Hull Kingston Rovers have registered Willie Mason and the player is available to play in this Sunday’s Engage Super League Round 5 fixture against Crusaders at Craven Park. Mason will take up a free space on Hull KR’s overseas quota after the club terminated the playing contract of Australian Michael Dobson

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=21315 Thursday 10th March 11 The RFL can confirm that Hull Kingston Rovers have registered Willie Mason and the player is available to play in this Sunday’s Engage Super League Round 5 fixture against Crusaders at Craven Park. Mason will take up a free space on Hull KR’s overseas quota after the club terminated the playing contract of Australian Michael Dobson

He has been temporarily deregistered according to HKR website

www.hullkr.co.uk/article.php?id=1610 may be allowed within the rules, but not really "within the spirit" of them

www.hullkr.co.uk/article.php?id=1610 may be allowed within the rules, but not really "within the spirit" of them

Catalan Dragons did the same when they signed Dobson and de registered Stacey Jones.

What happens if Dobson returns before Masons passport come through? Can they de register another player or does Dobson have to sit out?

The rfl makes it hard for themselves.

I am guessing that everything here is above board and agreed with the RFL other Mason would not have been registered.

But it does raise interesting issues.

Is Dobson now a free agent?
Is he still being paid by KR?
What happens if Dobson recovers before Mason gets his Tongan passport?

I have to say that Mason came across on B'n'A very articulate and what he said was very interesting bearing in mind we read the comments before hearing the exact words. All the best to the guy in the UK.

Yup he'd have to sit out. Though according to KR statement Mason passport expected in days so should be fine. Still more of a mockery of Rugby League in this saga mind you.

No. HKR make it hard for themselves.

Not really, they push their luck but the rfl let them.

He's working behind the bar on match days to legitimise still being paid.



I'd have to agree.

Is Michael Dobson open to offers though? KR would be powerless in preventing him from leaving?

Still under contract apparently.

Aye will still be under contract to KR just unavailable to play is all (which he can't anyway).

so he has 2contracts? a playing 1 and a non playing 1 ??

No , he has a ' contract ' that the club pay him wages

If he is de registered , then he cannot play RL for HKR , and I am assuming his wages are not included in the clubs Salary Cap total

It would only become a problem for Dobbo if Masons passport isn't here by the time Dobbo is fit again, which is about 10 weeks, enough time for someone to nip into Asda to take some beers out to the King of Tonga and pick it up personally. Dobson is only de-registered as an overseas player, not as an Hull KR player and will still be paid. It doesn't affect him one iota.

Of course their included.

his wages will be on cap as he as already played for kr this season

Good point, say he is on 100k, thats 20k off the cap to give Willie

No. He has one contract. A contract which includes payment while injured.

It's not actually that unusual for players with long term injuries to be deregistered - either for salary cap or quota reasons.

It might become a problem when they're fit and the club finds themselves paying a player who's fit to play but not registered to.

But that's a problem for the club.

The governing body doesn't have a problem - it has rules which state clubs may spend X amount on registered players and X number of them may be overseas or non-fed trained players. If the clubs want to spend money on people who aren't registered to play for them, it's no skin of the RFL's nose.

I hope not. That's a breach of his visa

Doesnt it say that the club have terminated the playing contract of Michael Dobson and as per the RFL's operational rules he reverts to free agency? (c1:2:12 b in the operational rules if you are interested)

and also isnt there a rule within the operational rules which states any overseas player who is de-registered, cannot then be re-registered within the same season?

If the RFL rules are followed then i cant see how Dobson will play for HKR again this season at least.

Good to see commitment to british youth though.

Intersting smokey, I was also wondering if masons come on his nz passport linked to his visa, will he need a new visa when his Tongan passport arrives?

and also isnt there a rule within the operational rules which states any overseas player who is de-registered, cannot then be re-registered within the same season?

If the RFL rules are followed then i cant see how Dobson will play for HKR again this season at least.

I hope so, others you could have as many overseas players as you liked and just register the ones that are picked each week