Hull Kingston Rovers colourful import Willie Mason could be about to cut short his stay in Super League after being courted by big-spending French rugby union club Toulon.
The 31-year-old Australian Test forward is just six weeks into a two-year contract with the Robins but, according to reports in France, he visited Toulon last week with his London-based manager Greg Keenan and was spotted having coffee with wealthy club president Mourad Boudjellal.
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is already playing for Toulon and he will be joined next season by Springboks forward Bakkies Botha and Wallabies utility back Matt Giteau.
Mason is currently playing in England as an overseas player as he awaits the arrival of his Tongan passport which would enable him to come off the import quota, courtesy of the Cotonou trade treaty.
Hull KR de-registered injured Australian scrum-half Michael Dobson to make way for Mason but he is thought to be close to recovery from ankle surgery, leaving the club with a dilemma if the Tongan passport does not arrive quickly.
Coach Justin Morgan says the club plan to clarify the situation on Wednesday, 48 hours ahead of the second Hull derby of the season.
“There will be a statement tomorrow (Wednesday) from the club that will answer all your questions,” Morgan told a press conference.
It is thought Toulon want Mason to follow in the footsteps of his former Canterbury Bulldogs teammate Sonny Bill Williams and play inside centre, having transformed the New Zealander from a rugby league forward to a powerful rugby union three-quarter.
Mason has considered a switch of codes in the past, having spoken to the Waratahs in 2007 and he also visited Japan in 2009 to talk with rugby union clubs.
kovana
Guest
KOG: The games last weekend for the top 14 had a record. 73K for Stade Francias. 55K for Toulon and of course that ProD2 match: 37K for Lyon.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
WCR, Lyon is going to be a clubto watch closely. A large population (which is unusual for top 14 sides), a large stadium, new money, and a strong rugby area. Very good to see the game getting a foothold in the major cities. do you know much about the teams that may get promotoed/relegated?
allblackfan
Guest
Big Rig, Mason couldn't cut it as a back in RU. He's too big and slow. He's backrow/lock material. You may as well tried to turn Brad Thorn into a RU midfield back!! Just ain't going to happen! PS Aware. I thought league players could tackle. From what I've seen of leagies playing RU over the last two seasons, that's a bit of a myth. Perhaps they're struggling to tackle players bigger then they are used to ie Cooper Vuna for the Rebels against the Highlanders last Friday.
Wingersliketowatch
Guest
Aware, you're not.
Aware
Guest
I'm not arguing, just stating a few facts.
Rich
Guest
Aussie sheilas? Yeah, you're probably right. Oh relax, I'm not going to get into an argument with you.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Lyon drew over 37,000 last weekend for a club game in the ProD2 agianst a team not even in the running for promotion. A club record for the ProD2.
Aware
Guest
All i've seen of French rugby "toughness" is eye gouging. Sheilas could do better....and rugby in France is played mainly by the business class. By the way, "dirtiness" is not "toughness".
Rich
Guest
Since when are French players "upper class"? That's an Aussie stereotype that doesn't always exist in other parts of the rugby world. And French players are dirty as. They won't be scared of anyone. BTW, how much is Willie getting paid?
anopinion
Guest
I can not imagine too many French forwards will be scared. They have a reputation for playing dirty, it will be fun to follow Mason's progress and inevitable injuries. Personally I can think of 50 other NRL players I would sign before Willie. Thank you for your insight on punching, you have done your code proud.
Aware
Guest
Are you joking? Those soft, upper-class union blokes would be running scared from Willy Mason. Not one of them can throw a decent punch either.
Big Rig
Guest
Well I can;t see Mason playing in a Union forward pack. While he was a giant on the League field, he's pretty average if not on the small side for a Union tight forward, furthermore, he just won't have the strength, technique, bravery and skills to play as a tight Union forward. He will also get hammered playing any loose forward position, as he won't have the aerobic fitness - you cant just stand up and put the ball under your legs and then count to 5 in Union. So if he has signed, it must be as a back, and I would put him at 13..
NF
Guest
But KOG didn't you say in a previous thread that you were only joking about a 'hostile takeover' hypocritical one would think.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The rise of French rugby union perhaps,not a take over by European ru.I hope they continue to import players,that way they will leave local French rl players alone, to a degree. The ESL will continue to expand,regardless,as the NRl did after the ARU went openly pro.It just means more opportunities for more players.Although there are I understand more than a couple of FRU clubs stretched financially.It may well come back to bite them.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
if any one is in any doubt about how big rugby is in France i suggest you have a look at this....... 55K at a game. and its just a regular season game. for rugby in france, thats no biggie. it happens weekly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7rsJKJPvrw&feature=player_embedded
AndyS
Guest
Someone wants to make sure they've seen the user manual... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rcTU4RWsdI
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
The rise and rise of European rugby. The takeover continues.......
Working Class Rugger
Guest
In other more worthy news. Racing Metro have reportedly tabled a three year $8.5 million AUD offer for Dan Carter. He would be earning roughly $2.85 million a season before endorsement deals. Not bad coin if you can get it.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Who knows what goes on at Toulon. Strange move to be honest. Considering they have signed Basteraud you'd imagine he'd be first choice inside, though Giteau would be in the equation. Frankly, they don't need another centre and I can't see Mason and Botha packing down together. Hoe long do you think it would take Botha to clip him one if they did? About 3 seconds.
The Bush
Guest
Wee Wee I hope that was you being phonetically witty oikee!