But hkr have 10, go figure?

Signing overseas players who have been here before 2008 would give 5 fed trained players too

Yes but that's a problem that is going to diminish, not grow.

People have way over-reacted to all this I think. There aren't any hidden loopholes been uncovered or sneaky cheating going on, nor are the RFL being weak. IMO, they have come up with a fairly innovative set of rules that are designed to encourage home grown talent development and gradually reduce reliance on overseas players whilst at the same time being careful to avoid contravening any EU employment laws and being unfair to any players already here at the time of rule changes.

The non-Aussie/Kiwi passport method of escaping the Overseas Quota rules is one that's been known about by anyone for years and that's why the RFL created the home-grown and Fed-Trained categories. Yes, the rate of reduction of overseas players has probably been much slower that hoped for (clubs should probably have been down to 5 by now), but progress is being made.

SEB are you aware that hkr have 6 overseas players not counting on the 2008 rule? This isn't the rfl sticking to the same rules, they've made some more up!

Is it any different to clubs basically breaking the salary cap rules by paying ' image rights ' to gain an unfair advantage ?

Maybe so, but new nationalities should not be gained AFTER being signed.

No it's not, the only situation a club should have more to spend is the 50k rule.

If you are referring to Big Australian/Tongan/New Zealander Willie (please circle one option) then I agree with you 100%.

If anyone here thinks what has gone on with regard to signing this player is OK, they need their bumps inspecting
Blatant abuse of the rules....6 point deduction for the season and ejection from SL are the only punishment that will stop this sort of thing happening again
...or they could just be made to merge with their bigger and better neighbours

rules were adhered to and no special dispensation given.

The only dispensation is for players who were contracted before the rule change, something all clubs are eligible to do. Within 3 years HKR will be down to 6, the 5 non fed trained players plus Lovegrove who is overseas but fed trained.

That would be true if galea had his eu passport, but he hasn't.

Please tell me what these rules are that the RFL have made up?

Im getting myself confused here bud so if you will entertain me.

Was the 2008 rule for holders of a eu/kolpack passport only?

That was never actually stated, but the way the rules were worded meant that everyone assumed as much. Nobody knew about the Quota and Fed/Non Fed spots being two separate lists. Since Quota players also count as Non Fed, they can apply for exemption under the 2008 rule like any other Non Fed player can.