Quote: Billinge_Lump "Saints could only register him with the permission of the RFL, HKR stopped having anything to do with that once they de registered him. Registrations are held by the RFL, not the clubs. That's why the RFL say he could sign for anyone else.
HKR may well then take him to court in regard to the playing contract he signed, but if Masons Tongan passport does not come through, or the RFL refuse to take him off the quota given this blatent attempt to get round the rules then I suppose Dobson could take HKR to court for restriction of trade or something similar. More likely they will terminate his contract and save on cap space and he'll sign elsewhere if that happens.'"
Youve got to read behind the sensational side of the story.
Firstly as stated (although different terminologies are used), HKR deregisted MDobson as a player, affectively terminating his playing contract. However as stated by the RFL in doin this HKR may have other contractual agreements to retain the player (which they have), this means without the permission of HKR who are, and remain his employers (as hes still been paid), no other club can register him. I know this because thats what the chairman said and if you read into the RFL hint at this, and furthermore do you seriously beleive HKR would of done this without making sure they were water tight on retain michaels services?
Now with regards to willie and his passport, its only a matter of time, he has letters and everything from the tongan authorities saying he qualifies for tongan nationality and his passport is on its way, however the rfl will only accept the passport itself as proof. so the hypothetical questions of what if his passport doesnt arrive, will remain hypothetical.
Reading it and listening to the chairman, suggests to me the RFL have been involved all the way and advised HKR on how to do get Willie to play, as the RFL wanted him playing as soon as possible jsut as rovers did, as the guy is box office and has brought some much needed attention to Super League and rugby league in general.
