Australian rugby league international Willie Mason has been released by Hull Kingston Rovers just months into a three-year contract, the Super League side announced on Saturday.
The controversial Mason, who made just six appearances for Rovers, has been in dispute with the club since it emerged he travelled to France to meet officials at big spending French rugby union club Toulon last month.
A brief statement on Hull KR’s website said Saturday: “Willie Mason has left Hull Kingston Rovers with immediate effect.
“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Toulon have become known as one of European rugby union’s biggest-spending clubs and currently have the likes of England great Jonny Wilkinson and controversial Wales international Gavin Henson in their squad.
Mason travelled to France after making just five appearances for Hull KR and Rovers recently stopped Mason’s pay, citing a breach of contract by discussing a potential move.
He arrived at Craven Park in March and was named man-of-the-match in Rovers’ 40-22 win against Crusaders but failed to maintain that standard.
Should Mason move to Toulon, Rovers will hope to receive compensation from the Top 14 side.
ptovey01
Roar Pro
If the rumour mill is true he may have been excluded from playing anyway.
PAT TOBIN
Guest
MASON IS A HAS BEEN HAS NOT BEEN ANY GOOD FOR A FEW SEASONS WOULDNT MAKE AN ORIGIN SIDE EVEN IF HE WAS HERE
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Willie would do as many young men would do with such an offer,even though the challenge aspect is becoming rather hackneyed. If there is one thing I enjoy about Aussies playing for the likes of Toulon,is they are in fact exports,bringing in hard earned foreign currency,courtesy of the largesse of private French union club owners. Secondly every import brought into a first division club,means one less local secure a position.In effect they are targetting less local Fench rl players,which in the long term ,is a good thing.No wonder registered French rl players have gone from 4,840 in 2004/5 to 10,994 as of May 1 2011,and in addition 29,000 play in the school system.
Johnno
Guest
Willie mason seems to 1 reason or another cause trouble at every club he has been at. He was good player just about the best forwad in the game 2002-2006. But he does more harm than good at every club he is been at if history is anything to go by. Roosters, Dogs, and now Hull , at cowboys he didnt get a long enough time to create chaos, ad maybe there was some adult maturuty to with age mellowed him a bit. But gee did he and a few other players around that 2002-2006 time cause som trouble at the dogs, it almost sank the dogs as a football club, calls to kick them out . Thank god thay got Todd greenberg as CEO, he saved that club.
Matt S
Guest
They should change union's moniker from the 'game they play in heaven' to 'the game that's a pensioners paradise, especially for league players ;-)'