OK then, perhaps you have better sources than he does, as a Press Association reporter and former Rovers employee.

I don't really get the relevance of the SBW situtation. SBW just walked out on the Bulldogs, who wanted to keep him as he was a contracted player. In your situation, you have a player who, if he doesn't get his passport, you can't play but are obliged to continue to pay. Unless you would want to continue to do so at least for the rest of the season, I'd imagine you'd be keen to get rid. This is more akin to the Cooke to Wakefield situation than the SBW one IMO. I understand that you'd want to keep him at all costs though, as you were very clear when the signing was announced that it would guarantee you top 4 status this season.

Maybe he has sources/contacts other than the press conference, perhaps in France? Maybe Rovers will get the massive fee from Toulon that Zod is suggesting. But I just don't see that Rovers hold all the cards here in the scenario the passport doesn't arrive. Could be wrong.

Your saying a RL reporter in the North of England has sources in the South of France RU circle
If the passport doesnt come then Rovers are up the creek, Hudge admitted that.

I actually said this yesterday. Mason will obviously have contacts in Oz, and this fiasco can only damage Rovers recruitment attempts in the short/medium term IMO

I think your opinion is flawed there, but you are entitled to it. When it comes to recruitment, I sincerely hope that Rovers become significantly less reliant on the Aussie market, that model is not sustainable, either financially or quota-wise. However, where we do recruit, I think the contacts that the coach has, plus the positive comments from some of our existing players (esp Dobson & Newton who will be here long term) will hold more water than anything Mr Mason may add. He hardly had the best reputation in the NRL before heading over here now did he?

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No, it's a fair point you make. I still do think though that overall, it can only cause some sort of fallout, however small it may be

can i ask anyone why hull kr aint willing to give up joel clinton for what is such a high profile player it saves alot of embarrasment plus if were being honest joel aint really playing that well and hasnt really had many good games if anyone knows why that aint possible plz feel free to inform me

If Willie Mason wants to go to Toulon, then there is no point.

If Mason wants to stay, then we'd be...

1. Pooping on Clinton - there's no way the RFL will let us de- and re-register a quota player again.

2. Risking the embarrassment of the passport turning up very soon afterwards.

It is time to stop digging.

There is also the point that Toulon may well be waiting for the same passport we are.

May I suggest Rovers give him any passport and another 4 weeks wages and send him home. Good riddance to unwanted rubbish for mine.

You do know we legally can't do that dont you?

Surely you realise that journalists have contacts and explore other avenues of investigation and not just rely on one press conference?

I also heard that. I think Toulon also require the Tongan situation to be sorted.