Also another thing wont he and others still count as non fed trained or does yet again being Tongan magicaly get him and every other Tongan player off that also.

The SL use the quota as part of its operating guidelines and principles. All clubs that apply for a SL license agree to abide by the operating principles. If someone breaches those principles the RFL do have it within their powers to punish the offenders. I would hazard a guess here that Rovers aren't testing the RFL out. There has to be some detail not reported yet. (for the record it's important to mention that most world sports have their own operating principles. Most of them are not legally enforcable or punishable through a court of law but they are still principles to be adhered to)

So no rumours on signings then?

Principles against law?

Well with these two new quota spots that should be oppening more options will be avalible to us

Lets face it the RFL are a big joke, more special dispensation, they are a laughing stock. It's nothing to do with it being Rovers either, our game will always be small time when decisions like this are made.

We've already got one.

The principle was signed up to by the clubs in 2007, reported in The Independent:
"Super League clubs have agreed to wean themselves off their dependence on overseas signings. Several sides regularly field up to 12 overseas players, taking advantage of the Kolpak ruling, grandparentage and European passports but now the Rugby Football League are to act to close the loopholes.

From next year, at least five members of a first-team squad of 25 must contain players who have either graduated from a club's academy system or are aged under 21. This will increase by one player each year until 2011, when a squad must have at least eight homegrown players. During the same period, the number of overseas players must be reduced from 10 to five.

Nigel Wood, the RFL's chief operating officer, said: "This new rule fulfils a long-standing objective to encourage clubs to develop young talented players. By giving them greater opportunity at the top level, it is likely to improve standards not only on a national level but also internationally. Over time, the number of home-born players in a squad will increase whilst the number of players who are not academy, Super League or National League club-trained will be reduced."

The 12 club chief executives passed the proposal at their two-day summit in Perpignan."

In the last few days....Widdop, Phelps, Sammut, Witt, Myler, so just a few to be going on with.

Operating principles aren't permitted that are illegal. There's nothing in the SL operating principles that are against European Legislation. There was talk a year or two ago about the quota been against the European law by not permitting freedom of movement but no one ever followed that up in the Euro courts.

Like I said on the quota thread what can the rfl do if hn takes them to court?

and as i said, any club joining since would have to agree to this principle too in order to receive a franchise. The dispensation here must be for something different. It cant be Rovers challenging the RFL operating principles can it?

I remember Rovers taking the RFL to court many moons ago in our quest to sign Gilles Dumas and Danny Divet. We won the case, Dumas didnt turn up and you signed Divet!

Do you think Rovers have threatened legal action against the RFL?

Couldn't agree more mate. I'm sick to the back teeth with the game at the moment, despite the fact i have family interest in it.

Not a chance Dave. Too much to lose going forward. I think there is more to this that the press havnt got hold of yet.

Bite the hand that feeds?

If the RFL are one big laughing stock. What do they ever get right?

Things they get very wrong off the top of my head:
1. Salary cap and it's application. There should be no way to spend outside of it.
2. Quota. Either have one or dont have one. But when you have one it has to be applied consistently and is not up for debate. Simplify and have UK born or non-UK born.
3. Disciplinary action. Never applied consistently. No transparency or accountability around decision making
4. Standards of refereeing. Full time referees hasnt brought with it better decisions and the pipeline of decent refs coming through is almost non-existent.

Anything else?

All very valid points Dave. Makes the game a bit of a mockery IMO.

Exactly. Thats why i've said on here that it will be something to not come out in the press yet. It will be very odd though if the RFL have changed the application of it's quota rules for Willie Mason in isolation.

Joking aside though it's pityful really. People wonder why RL is so small time compared to other sports, just look at the list you have provided.

All a little bit amateur mate really isnt it. I wouldnt be in my job very long if i ran a business like they do. (although you could say that about a lot of people in the sport, not just the RFL)

All it takes is an opportunist with savvy regards law to expoit it....

Great game run by amateurs.

5. The RFL Chariman publically stating the game is in a healthy state despite the fact that 10 of the 12 SL clubs are losing money hand over fist and basically trading insolvent.

It's a fundamental problem that i've seen a lot at different companies mate. They all think theyre in a position to grow rapidly and take the biggest on but they then dont have the basics right as they are currently. For me the RFL need to sort the 4 points above 1st before looking to spend money on expanding our game and supporting the finances around it.

The companies that dont get the basics right before growth tend to spectacularly fail.