Is it just players that it affects or coaches too? If so, we've played a blinder extending Agar's deal.

Thinking on, wouldnt Berrigan have closed the loop-hole for himself by getting British citizenship?

nope. The british citizenship thing allows him to stay in the UK. He's still an Aussie national too and would still be been paid offshore on that basis. (we are making assumptions he is anyway, that may not even be the issue)

Dual nationality i believe is the term, although i believe Australia only allow you to be a dual for 5 years before they revoke your Aussie nationality. May be wrong though.

Ok, fair enough. What was the reasoning behind him getting British citizenship anyway, given that he has a contract so has no need to get off the quota? His partner is an Aussie aswell isnt she.
On the subject of citizenship, what is the purpose of Mason getting his Tongan passport because as far as i can see it makes no difference to him quota wise? He would still be non-fed i think.

I can only presume Berro got his British Citizenship for when he finished playing rugby if he decided he wants to live over here.

There must be some logic behind the Mason thing too. Is it still that only a certain number of overseas players can be Oz/Nz? In which case he may have moved off the Oz thing and freed up a space for an Oz signing? I dont understand the overseas rulings anymore.

Isn't it easier for a Tongan to get a visa due to them being a certain part of the commonwealth?

It could make the visa process easier. That's the only reasoning I can think of.

Mason signed for Rovers almost 16 weeks ago, so looks like there are one of 2 things going on:
1) He's been turned down for an Australian visa and is trying the Tongan route. All other Australians signing for SL clubs are here now, including Ben Cross at Leeds who signed weeks after Mason.
2) He's got his visa and the hold-up is payment related as referenced in the Herald Sun.

Option 3 would be something to do with quotas/non-fed distinctions, but as RBA says, this makes no sense. Lauaki has a Tongan passport, and is on our quota, as is Moa. Manu is exempt through the pre 2008 rule I think.

I don't think berrigan has British citizenship, just a german passport which means he doesn't need a work permit to work in the UK. It then means he has dispensation from the non fed quota under the special dispensation rule