Hmm, duty bound or honour bound?

I'm not sure what it means but the reason for the English language issue with his visa means he must be travelling (and maybe classed) as a Tongan. If he's travelled as a New Zealander the English issue doesn't arise.

Presumably being a Tongan is better for the "quota"?

Yes, but the agreed rules cannot be illegal under law contrary to what you said on one of the previous pages about these rules over riding law.

You'd think so wouldn't you?



I remember when the rules were first being drafted and it looked like Martin Gleeson (but not Mark) would be classed as an overseas player but Harrison Hansen fine. Madness.

You can throw all your Contract of Employment Laws argument all you like. There are many Bye-Laws that contravene standard Employment laws but that all clubs abide by for the good of the sport. This being one of them.

He applied for his Visa using his Tongan passport, so he is definitely travelling as a Tongan.


As it happens it makes no practical difference in this case, due to the way our overseas signings panned out.

But it still doesn't mean they override statute law, does it.

Name them, im not sure youre right!?

Fair enough, i clearly worded my previous reply incorrectly. But you knew what i meant.

No, you were wrong. simplez

Anyway, does anyone know how many quota spaces we have free next year?

4

This thread is going around in circles so fast it's making me dizzy.

I think it's all here somewhere.

I was going to post an extract but it would be too long and convoluted. It's easier to read it yourself. I would be amazed if the general consensus after reading it is one of a full understanding. I hope it's up to date because it's from the RFL site

Check the pdf document [urlhttp://www.therfl.co.uk/clientdocs/Operational%20Rules%20Part%203.pdf[/url

Section C1:4 OVERSEAS PLAYERS

So it simply says 5 and it also says that if a player has a passport for an EU country they wont count. Adds more confusion.

Interestingly it also says you can register 40 players not the 25 mentioned earlier on by someone.

I love the use of the term "For the avoidance of doubt..."



Reading those rules they seem as clear as mud

At least they acknowledge that there may be doubt, dont see how they help avoid it though!!

Well reading that it seems like the whole contract re-negotiation thing is red-herring? In order to not count as an overseas player you must have been resident in this country for at least 270 days a year for the last 5 years. Manu came over in 2006 so will not come off the quota even if we renew his contract early.

Unless I'm missing something?

Interesting the bit about loans to players, KR fall foul of that with Cooke!

It also mentions something in there about 4 years too. There is also the risk that the RFL have made significant amendments to this doc but not updated their website. I cant see it mention fed v non fed and quota etc. It simply says quota of 5. (there may be an 100 page appendix somewhere)

How come??