Anybody who wants to discuss the issues please use this thread.

Trolling can be done here: [urlhttp://viewtopic.php?f=59&t=491370[/url


For me, while clearly disappointing and more than a bit embarrasing, it isn't a catastrophe.

While the club will get some grief, I hope it isn't disproportionate (from Rovers fans at least, being realistic). Remember that the RFL were also convinced that it'd be sorted in a matter of days to and had quality assurances from a third party that that would be the case.

Well, what will happen next then?

Will Mason pull on a Rovers shirt again, or is he gone for good.

My assumption is that he is gone - but the statement did mention the [upossibilty[/u of him being re-registered.

And as we speak:


Looks like they are going to allow him to talk to other clubs

COMPLETE AND UTTER FARCE

it was done as a clear money making opportunity, most of the realistic fans can see this....

I`m ashamed to be a rovers fan right now.......
after 4/5 goodish years and fairly good progress made on and off the pitch and now we are back to square one...... looking foolish...

not embarrassed at all really, the way I see it we tried to sign one of the biggest players of the last 10 years what with the red tape issues it became a lot harder than it should have been, we then took an opportunity to get him in through an RFL supported loop hole while our no1 playmaker was out injured. He's back fit now and is far more important to how we function as a team rather than big willie who was always a luxury signing. if he moves on as it looks like he will so be it, I'd rather we tried these things as a club to improve rather than sign and put up with mediocrity and I hope it doesn't put us off making big signings in the future just because as it appears this one hasn't come off.

So reading through that statement it would seem that Mason isn't even officially Tongan yet, let alone a Tongan passport holder. Interesting. It would also appear that there may be some truth in the rumours regarding Toulon. I'm quite surprised how accurate some of the rumours flying around recently have turned out to be. I'd dismissed them as too far-fetched.

Seems that nobody is likely to emerge from this with much credit TBH. And as usual it's the fans that get mucked about.

If he doesn't have a tongan passport he will count against Toulon's quota which im guessing they are close or are at capacity with.

now having read the "announcements", it seems to have been the correct approach from an employment point of view, Mason employed as a player on an 'understanding' which went to the very root of the contract, this understanding fell through (for the explained reasons).

the correct course of action for the future (imho) is never employ a player until his 'status' eg nationality, is beyond doubt.

Still...very strange indeed..very poor...and a shame the club looked so foolish!

Just hope Dobbo stays fit or we will look an even bigger bunch of idiots than we do now.

You would think so. However, the RU season is far enough away that they might be prepared to sign him and wait for his passport to come through. What could possibly go wrong with a plan like that?

Their season doesn't again until early autumn. By then he'd expect to have his passport, I guess.

its fool proof!

reading the statement from rovers it seems he could get his tongan passport within a few weeks of this goverment change, in which case toulon will flash some cash and we will be left with egg on our faces and a bunch of flags we have no use for.

Unless there are any willie mason lookalikes out there we could find

We signed him in september and expected Galea to come off/Mason to get his passport to fly through.
I didn't happen that way obviously.
A RU club has been found guilty today of registering more then they are allowed and they are expecting to get hammered for it.
The RFU are a lot harder then the RFL are will they take the risk?

Square one was when we were in administration, playing in front of less than 2,000 and having a sponsored walk to raise £25k to keep the club afloat...

Yeah, it's a pain and a bit of an embarrassment but I'll live...

If they flash the cash and we get some kind of fee I will be happy with that.
Not that I am holding out much hope of that

im guessing toulon would wait until we terminated his contract. Were not going to pay him to sit around doing nothing are we now.... oh hang on....

If you ask me, everyone is totally overreacting to this. Yes the club maybe have a bit of egg on their faces but so what? We brought Mason over, fully expecting him gaining a Tongan passport. As that has not happened we are without Mason but have Dobson. That puts us firmly back at square 1, were we beat Hull then should have beaten Warrington.
Rovers + Dobson are a far better team than Rovers + Mason. No player is bigger than the club but Dobson is closest.
If Willie does leave, we will get a fat cheque, I don't see the downside!

Exactly.

Fair play to Willie for turning up at the kids Easter camp today. The kids were told that under no circumstances were they to ask about his move to France though!
Anyway, ive got another Willie Mason flag i have no use though.

I'm not sure about the fat cheque and following the hype, there is going to be a degree of deflation and mild embarrassment. Sometimes things don't work out. Many more have than haven't in recent years. And finally putting it to bed will be a relief.

You need rid of him of your wage bill and the Toulon move would do that, I doubt a fee would be involved as it would help both parties. One thing you don't want is Big Willie sat in the stand unable to play and you will be still paying him his contract.

Time to cut the losses , except a bit of stick and carry on.

Rubbish.