According to Winterstein he expects to hear this week whether his visa application is successful.

If he is successful that begs the question - when will he get a game? Given the tremendous performances of Ferguson, Snitch, Hendo, Bibb and Pitts so far this season he is going to be have to be very special to dislodge any of them.

With that wonderful thing caught hindsight would we have been better getting another prop?

i think hes probably got a better chance to get in now then he would have had say a week ago. with so many forward out we need that extra one just to keep them fresh when some of them have been playing near full games.

i do agree that he shouldnt replace them in the starting line up though cos theyve all been playing out of their skins so far this season

If JK feels the need to shoe horn him into the team, I suspect that Snitch may move into the front row leaving Frankenstein to occupy the vacant second row spot.

IMO there are 2 possible scenarios;

1) The HO and RFL look at this case on it's own merits, i.e FW has no previous convictions, a good RL pedigree and a hell of a lot of potential and grant him a visa. Despite turning other "so called" bigger names.

Or

2) The RFL keen to be seen pushing GB players urge the HO to refuse FW, when really the only reason is they fear a backlash from other clubs who have had there signings turned down.

As it's us i have a feeling they will want to make an example.

Whilst Pitts and Bibb are playing well at the moment i find it hard to see them keeping up the intensity throughout the season. The lads need time to develop and progress and we need to rotate and even rest players to ensure we don't end up with another poor end of season run in

all of the forwards have been good but to be quite honest i would be dropping bibb because i dnt think he is good enough

But if he is a Kolpak player of good reputation who has been offered employment in this country then surely the RFL would have no say in the matter and the HO would find it difficult to refuse him entry, and by the sound of it the woman in Canberra who is responsible for the decisions would take exception to someone else trying to tell her how to do her job.

Anyone heard anything yet?

Would we have booked his flights? or would we wait till everything is signed sealed and delivered.

Not sure mate, but hopefully he will be here sooner rather than later.

I don't think the RFL can urge the HO to do anything. If he's legally entitled to come here and earn a living, then that's the matter done and dusted.

Correct, as far as I'm aware anyway.

Yeah, not quite sure Richard Lewis has the power yet to influence the workings of the Home Office. If they believe he should be given a work permit, they will.

I very much doubt HM Government would turn down a work permit to make an example of Wakefield - especially when players for the reigning Champions Leeds have been turned down!

How long does it take to sort out the paperwork for a work permit?

Im sure we announced this signing or at least knew he intended to come to Wakefield before the season started!

if he has no convictions, or offences, whats the problem?

be here between 15-17th of the month

Whats your source? Has it been announced that he has a permit?

no but he is expected to get one no problems, he is expected around that time

Just noticed this guy, named in the Brisbane Bronco's starting line up for their opening game against NQC

Karmichael Hunt, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Aaron Gorrell, Joel Clinton, Sam Thaiday, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker.

Any relation I wonder?

probably there all interbred over there

gorell a big loss for catalans