It's not bad in principle and the weighting looks better than earlier iterations. Would it though count as discrimminatory - effectively subsidising the employment of a Brit compared to, for example an 'Irishman' or 'Maltese' from NSW? Genuine question.

Also you're starting from scratch when the (admittedly fudged, flawed and delayed) system was about to become effective. They came a long way and it wasn't an easy road - then they just tossed it in.

What also needs clarifying is whether Mason has a 'special status' as the HDM says or, to quote Wood 'It's similar to any player with an islands' heritage from the Southern Hemisphere'. Either is odd.

Its not a subsidy of british employees. Its a payment for production and release of English qualified players for internationals and international get-togethers and such



Being serious though, if it did form part of the agreement for releasing British/English qualified players, then it wouldnt be discriminatory, the problem would be would we then see lots of players registering as British/English and available for the national side. Though I wouldnt expect this to be too difficult to get round, a rule saying you need to be registered as a British player for two years before you became eligible and just get the kids to do it when they start.


They didnt get anywhere, we saw clubs start to plan, but as soon as one didnt want to play ball it has all fallen down.
it is all of them. The Contonou Agreement means we cant count any of them as overseas players. Any player could apply for 'special status' and get it. Its just sad a club has chosen to be part of it.

And people say that education is bad in Hull?

As an FC fan, assuming FC weren't aware that Moa and Lauaki were fed-trained, this latest change makes a mockery of bothering to invest in homegrown players to an extent that they're not just there to make up the numbers, and paying fees for the likes of Westerman and Tansey in the naive belief that securing young British talent would afford a longer term advantage. May as well have spent that cash on a trip to Tonga and Samoa. (This leaves to one side the altruistic benefit of supporting the international game, obviously).

If those were the rules I'm sure you'd find that Hull KR conform to them, just like they do now.

Spot on.

Hey, I don't make the rules up. I think you'll find that's the RFL, if you don't like their strategy why not take the issue up with them?

Just probably have less money coming in and a worse team, maybe it might finally get them motivated to get their youth development and scouting in order and stop failling so badly at it.

Urban myth created by, and perpetuated by your good self.

[urlhttp://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_facts/0,19935,11070_2900137,00.html[/url

Which 3 of Willie Manu, Motu Tony, Matt Sing & Matthew Head are you claiming as British (or even Tongan

)?

As now, how Hull KR choose to run their club is up to them, as long as they conform to the requirements of the RFL. Unfortunately Kipperboy you don't make the rules up either.

Oops wrong game. I'm on it. (14's not too shabby)

If HKA have registered their players and the RFL have accepted these registrations then there's not a lot anyone can do except point at the RFL and laugh.....they were the ones that came out with the press release that the SL Chairman had agreed to reduce the reliance on overseas players...it's a problem of their own making.
It will be interesting to see how East Hull Australians go this year...if they are in the top 4 then they may well get the average gates they need to break even....but if they are in mid table and below the better Hull club then this overseas experiment may well blow up in their faces......they really do need to win something this year...otherwise all they will have achieved (on the pitch) will be the same as they have over the last 4 years....nothing

Im not sure anyone has said any different have they?

People have simply criticised them for their short-termist and selfish outlook, and their failure in youth development and lack of commitment to English talent.

Why do tongans count as federation trained???

There are too many variables for any team to forecast that they will win a trophy. I do think (with or without Mason) Rovers, on paper, are stronger than they were last year so I think a strong challenge for a top 4 place and final or semi final appearance would represent a good season. Anything more would be a bonus, less would probably be disappointing.

Another double over the former champions Leeds would be nice

Quote ="SirStan"Urban myth created by, and perpetuated by your good self. [urlhttp://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_facts/0,19935,11070_2900137,00.html[/url Which 3 of Willie Manu, Motu Tony, Matt Sing & Matthew Head are you claiming as British (or even Tongan )?'" Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html

Quote ="SirStan"Urban myth created by, and perpetuated by your good self. [urlhttp://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_facts/0,19935,11070_2900137,00.html[/url Which 3 of Willie Manu, Motu Tony, Matt Sing & Matthew Head are you claiming as British (or even Tongan )?'" Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html

Its nice that beating us is a priority for these smaller clubs, it shows they know their place in the scheme of things.

according to the Hull Daily Mail article:

"Mason will be granted ‘special status’ to be removed from the overseas quota under the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States."

"" It's similar to any player with an islands' heritage from the Southern Hemisphere.

"So, there's no reason why Mason shouldn't come to England in this way."

show us the "proper" medals they hand out for anything other than winning? Beaten Grand Finalists or Challenge Cup runners up may as well have not bothered turning up........HKA fans have defended their clubs overseas brigade with the argument that they will get a better team.......they may win something when in reality, their club is jetisoning young talent to clubs like Quins in favour of average Aussies.....Mason being the perfect example. He couldn't get a gig in the NRL after 2 very average seasons and yet East Hullians are creaming themselves over him...

It's Hull KR's feck-up on Galea's Maltese passport that is the route cause of this, however. Staggering that a begrudging 1 year extension for a partly crocked 32 year old Aussie that never played SOO or internationals could set the reasonable progress made by some clubs on loophole reduction back significantly.

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html'" I believe you were thinking of this Wigan game for the high amount of British players, 13 British of which 7 were homegrown. www.slstats.org/2009/9/4/Wigan+W ... ll+FC.html

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html'" I believe you were thinking of this Wigan game for the high amount of British players, 13 British of which 7 were homegrown. www.slstats.org/2009/9/4/Wigan+W ... ll+FC.html

Shame they don't consider financial sustainability to be an issue.

No worries, there's always the CVA option, an area that you do have experience

This is the attitude that makes SL lower intensity. Oh only one team can win it so what;s the point in turning up. In the NRL there are three things that define your season.
First making the play offs
Second making the final
Third winning it

Until teams get desperate to make the play offs you won;t see intensity in the mid to lower table like you have in the NRL.

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html'" Regular league game? Pah When you can field 16 in a play off game come back and boast!

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Knew I hadn't imagined it - was the final regular round game, v Bradford, not the Wigan play-off. 16 British players. Only 10 homegrown, though, how disappointing. www.slstats.org/2007/9/14/Hull+F ... Bulls.html'" Regular league game? Pah When you can field 16 in a play off game come back and boast!