the only possibility I can see is maybe the Junior Kiwis match(s) counted along with Brian Smiths recommendation towards what seems to be a discretionary visa. its so glaringly obvious that hes not played the requisite 1st grade matches in the last 2 years for an automatic visa.

The way I read the article was that Brian Smith's recommendation persuaded the RFL to allow us to make a move for his signature. Perhaps they refuse to register certain overseas players if they don't have enough first grade experience etc.
I can't see how a recommendation from an aussie coach could have any bearing on a visa being granted, discretionary or not. It's a completely separate issue outside of rugby league.

this is a bit out of date but gives a flavour of what could have been used by the RFL to edit [delrecommend[/del issue a [delvisa[/del

Players - Initial Applications - Discretionary Requirements

RFL will consider applications for players who do not meet the above requirements on an individual discretionary basis. Decisions will be made by a Panel of RFL Senior Executives who will consider written applications from the club concerned. The Panel will give written reasons for their decision. There will be a right of appeal against decisions of the Panel to an independent Panel drawn from the RLPA & Operational Rules Tribunal.

For the avoidance of doubt discretionary requirements are intended to identify players that are of the same standard as those that would qualify under Non-Discretionary Requirements but that for some reason satisfactory to the Panel have failed to achieve the Non-Discretionary Requirements in full.

In order to be considered under the Discretionary Requirements a player must have partially achieved at least one of the Non-Discretionary Requirements (listed at 1-6 above) unless the player comes from another sport. For players from Rugby League the factors to be taken into account when making a discretionary decision will be:

The player’s record in Rugby League including but not limited to:
The player’s achievement against the Initial Applications Non Discretionary Requirements
the player’s junior international representative career
the player’s senior representative career
the player’s record in Super League
the player’s record in the NRL; and
The financial package offered to the player which should show that he is being paid enough to place him in the relevant Super League club’s Top 20 highest paid players (as defined by the Salary Cap Regulations)

The player himself has to apply for his Visa. The RFL wouldn't allow the club to progress with his Certificate of Sponsorship - it needs a Governing Body Certificate to get that. I understand as soon as the club was given permission to move on this Duffy sorted it out immediately and the Certificate has now been scanned and sent to him in New Zealand. Once he has the Certificate he will be granted a Visa. He had an outstanding record in junior football including captaining the Warriors Under 21's to a Grand Final victory.

... and an outstanding record 2012 in a GF Jets team - tho he didnt play in the final itself, why was that denisj, he played a few 1st grade games at the tail end was it that?