Not trolling but how does having a Tongan passport help him. He may now not count on the qouta but he still needs a Visa doesnt he to gain entry to the country or does having the Tongan passport mean he doesnt ?

But it also did make me put my head in my hands if its right.

It'll be interesting to see what the special dispensation is. Could well open the floodgates across SL.

It is very confusing. If special dispensation is to be granted then Galea would surely be the more obvious recipient.

The Australian Daily Telegraph and Hull Daily Mail story don't tell the full story, I'd assume. If they do, the RFL have been very generous and other clubs may well look for similar generosity.

The papers seem to give the reason as his Tongan passport and Tongan mother. As you say, loads more SL players may then seek the same dispensation. It then widens too as Tonga isnt the other island that could have the same levels of dispensation. Samoa and Fiji to name 2 would also then receive the same levels of dispensation.

He still counts on the overseas limit.

There are quota players, non-fed players and fed players. You're allowed five overseas players (any combination of quota/non-fed players).

It really is poor journalism. If he's only just got his Tongan passport, he still needs to apply for a visa, which would still take up to 3 weeks. Also he'll have to do a stupid English speaking test. 7th of January is very optimistic.

He has already got his visa he got that when in australia he will have two passports it's classed as duel nationality, that's why he is saying he is here on the 7th why else would he be dead sure he was going to be here next week, he can travel on his Aus or Tongan passport.

People from different countries ie turkey for arguments sake fly to say the US have theyre children there to gain American status then fly back to turkey, where they live but intact are duel nationality, the reason for this is that at any time that child when it grows up can enter America without a visa and go to what ever university they wish to go to.

Don't you worry...

He'll be here and raring to go and I can't wait

Can someone please explain?

As I understand this the visa has not been the hold up, the problem was the fact Rovers had too many players on the quota?

Willie the New Zealand born, Aussie international with a Tongan mother is now able to play without been counted as an overseas player due to a loop hole with the rugby league.

This is the hard bit for me, how is he travelling into the UK? I guess he will need to bring his Australian passport to match his Australian work permit so should this not make him an Australian import?

However, if he is using his new Tongan passport should he not apply for a Tongan visa, how do the immigration rules work if you haven't done any work in your home country?

I'm looking forward to seeing willie mason in super league this year however, this story seems to once again make RL look like a joke, great game with mickey mouse administration.

You can travel on either passport it's the beauty of Been duel registered but he will use his Tongan passport and take Australian one to

So what's the benefit of waiting 13 weeks or whatever to get a Tongan passport if he's already got his visa?

ic so you can have a passport from one country and a visa from another, make sense

ok so what documentation do the RL need a visa to prove you can play in the UK or a passport to say you can travel to the UK?

I'm presuming that they thought galea would be of the quota so mason would have been able to come over no problems and hey I don't work for the passport dept or rfl I'm not really bothered how he gets here as long as he does, what's the point in saying wat if's he is coming so I'm happy

You can have two passports from different countries

Ginger don't get me wrong when you first signed Mason I thought this is great for the British game

However, if these stories of fudging the quota are correct I feel that the signing is making the British game look like a joke.

Bear in mind though that the club are not breaking any rules - if we were don't you think the RFL would step in and stop the transfer

He'll need a new visa that states his dual nationality.

Roofs, I'm not blaming rovers in anyway I just think the administration of the RFL is mickey mouse

When Mason was signed and registered what was his nationality?
If this is the case why did the RFL allow the registration of Mason?

My question now is what paperwork do the RFL need for his registration Passport, Visa or both?

Again I have no problem with what rovers have done however, disappointed with the RFL again

I'm sure other clubs would have done the same thing, not sure how long you have followed rovers but I remember you going through the mill to sign Danny Divet (sp), the transfer didn't go through but allowed us to sign Paddy Entat and Danny Divet a few years later

goo.gl/KWbg2 However, I have read this since my last post ouch! 10 overseas players when the cap should be 5

goo.gl/KWbg2 However, I have read this since my last post ouch! 10 overseas players when the cap should be 5

He still needs a Visa to enter the UK for work. As for the quota stuff I'd guess that the press are confusing the 'old' quota and the new rules. He stops being one but stays as non-fed as far as I can see. If he somehow becomes Fed Trained then there must be some other loophole available that's not obvious from reading the rules. Can't imagine what it might be.

And will have needed to declare his nationality on the original work permit documentation. If he's now changed it, he may need to get a new work permit. It's all quite technical and that may be the reason for the delay, thinking about it. If he's only just got the Tongan passport, he'll need to get the new details on a replacement work permit before he can apply for the visa. Plus he'll need to take an English test. Of course he could have used the Aussie passport to get the visa and the Tongan thing is just for quota reasons. But then if he comes to the UK as an Aussie, maybe the RFL need to treat him as quota. This could run and run.

True its only the word of a couple of dodgy papers supposedly quoting Mason about coming. He was originally qouted a fair few weeks back as having the paperwork and just waiting on a payment. He could be here next week or well into the new season for all we know.