can somebody clear something up for me regarding visas. now we have signed fitzy and o'meley, do they apply for the visa now... whats the procedure?

As O'Meley's not playing again,this season,it makes sense for him to apply asap.

Come to think of it Fitz, may as well do the same!

The Roosters are done for this season.

Regarding their visas,they dont come into effect,until they arrive into the country. - even if they are approved in November.

so they should be here for the start of the season?

But their contracts don't kick in until November, so as they need a contarct to be able to apply for a visa I suspect that they may not ba able to apply until then.

Good point!!

so it could be another long dragged out process then

You would hope that as clubs are now aware of the new criteria for getting a visa that they do a bit of homework on potential signings and check for any thing that may hamper their application such as a speeding ticket and jumping a red light.

you only need proof of a contract, as long as hull make it clear to the authorities that he has one ready to go he can apply. He has already signed it anyway according to James rule.

But Crocker had signed this time last year, but he could not apply for his visa until November. I think I read somewhere that it has something to do with the RL, they have to accept a players registration before a contract kicks in and they do not do this until November IIRC. Obviously Fitzgibbon will be playing in the NRL until the end of the season so they will have his registration until then anyway.

Should change the ruling then. They're quick enough to do so when there's a threat of the reduction in overseas players they've been talking about for a decade becoming reality. Any slight c0ck-up in the visa paperwork and these players will miss the start of the season.

Could be a good question for Rule on next weeks radio love in. Ask when is the first oppertunity that new signings can apply for a visa. As I have said earlier, I am pretty sure that it is November.

Well they can both speak English, so that's a start.

Don't think either have a criminal record, although O'Meley is good mates with Willie Mason so who knows.