Perhaps someone may get to ask him on wednesday KCFM

With a name like O'Meley, could there be an Irish passport issue here?

This ambiguity is textbook RFL. Shambolic.

Does that mean you are agreeing that their previous statement was how do I put this........................................Misleading

The limit is definitely 6, so the only explanation is that one of the 6 for next season is coming off the list somehow. The most likely suspect is Manu, although if the previously released information from the RFL is correct then we would somehow have to get him off the quota a year early.

So either the info from the RFL was wrong, or we've found a loophole and exploited it. I guess only time will tell.

IIRC wasn't there a rumour about Berrigan having German parents or something of the sorts. If so could this be the "loophole"?

It's never Dull at Hull.

Not on its own. Although if he got an EU passport he would be able to be considered for the Gene exemption. And that would depend on what counts as 'being in the English game' prior to Feb 2008.

Still non-fed and as a new signing, he's one of those with least chance of not counting (along with fellow Hibernian Fitzgibbon and the pointlessly - in terms of the new rules - Tongan Lauaki.)

If Manu comes off, which seems realistic, that leaves one spot. Berrigan and Cusack (also good Irish names), have might be coming off if the rule about waiting for renewal of contract has been relaxed. Is that the unannounced rule change people are hinting at? Mind they'd need EU passports - unless they've binned the 'old' quota.

I don't mind an insoluble riddle. That Leonard Shelby must be and cannot be Sammy Jankis, makes Memento an even more compelling film. Not sure it is a good principle for RFL to apply to reducing the number of overseas players in SL, though.

edit: Cusack just needs the passport, not the rule change, as he is on a new contract.

Berrigan is a German name can't you see that ?

Schaün von Berrigan.

Or they've completely confused themselves when looking at it.

Yes,I've managed to trace a Paddy O'Meley and Paddy Fitzgibbon.Still trying to track down a Paddy Luaki,might have to get back to you on that one.

i have an idea...............

right, if you are not born in the United Kingdom or unable to have a British passport, then you are classed as an overseas player. Each team can have 6 of these overseas players, no more, no exemptions, no special circumstances and no excuses! This will lead to no confusion, no loopholes and no dodging the rules!!

IS THAT EASY ENOUGH ???

No because EU legislation makes that illegal.

I really dont know where the club are getting there info from, the only thing i can think off is that the e-mail the RFL send me was slightly wrong and that Manu doesn't have to wait until the end of his current contract to become a federation trained player but this still doesn't explain how we would have another place if Motu doesn't re-sign.

I'll e-mail the RFL again but i'll send it straight to the guy who e-mailed me about the gene ruling, maybe i'll get a reply off this guy since he went to the trouble in replying in the first place.

no

Scnell von Berrigan.

So, hang on let's try again

If you're born in the EU and you are not a Tongan who's been playing here fewer years than your housemate (only if they're trained by the federation - or any other star-fleet) BUT you have a faintly Irish name (such as O'Schumacher) then and only then can you be called Stanley Gene (although you must be under 35 years of age).

Wait... that's wrong... if you're under 16...

if we have a qouta spot available lets hope the club move quickly and get it filled with a quality centre.

I believe we do have a quota spot available and if so we should not be wasting it on Moa. We can and will get better.

Agreed.

Humberside et al are clueless.

All teams are allowed 6 non fed/club trained players next season of which a maximum of 5 can be what is classed as "overseas" players (the old quota players). If a non fed/club trained player was in the British game before Feb 2008 he can apply for exemption, once his contract runs out, to be classed as Federation trained and thereby not count as part of the 6. The only players at this club that fall into that category are Motu and Manu. Motu's contract runs out this season so he can apply to be exempt but that will make no difference to the 6 because we already have 6 signed up for next season. Manu is the only player who could make a difference to the 6 signed up for next season and thats only if changing his contract in some way this season means he can apply to be exempt. The residency rule doesn't come into it because you need to have been here since before 2002 IIRC.

As for Moa, I think the club will only keep him (providing we get a space) if we cant get anyone better.

From the RFL operational rules.....

[iPrior to 31st December 2002 any Player who has, and who can prove to the RFL's satisfaction to have been, resident in the EU for an aggregate of 270 days in each of the previous five years shall not be deemed an "overseas Player". For the avoidance of doubt, any exceptions previously granted under this Operational Rule shall remain in force for the remainder of the Player's career.[/i

Manu wasn't here before 2002. Also Motu isn't being counted in the 6 spots for next season anyway as he would be exempt even if he stayed. The only way we will have a spot for next season is if Manu can apply to be exempt from the non club/fed trained player quota and even if that does come off we still cant sign an "overseas" player as we still have our maximum of 5.