Mason De-registered

After the less than interesting news from Hull Kr, that no new news was in regarding Willie Mason's Visa clearance, today the RFL have allowed for Mason to be de-registered, in favour of allowing Michael Dobson to return on his overseas quota Space, and adding more fuel to the rumours of a bid from Toulan for the big prop forward.

The statement reads:

The RFL can confirm that Hull Kingston Rovers have re-registered Australian scrum-half Michael Dobson and that the player is eligible for selection for the Engage Super League Round 11 fixture at Hull FC on Friday April 22.

Hull Kingston Rovers have also de-registered prop Willie Mason following a protracted delay in the player obtaining a Tongan passport.

Good luck to Dobson, because hes a top class player, but what a farce this is turning out to be.  Re-Registering the De-Registered player that they once registered for the one they just De-registered?  What is the point in having a quota of overseas players if it not going to be enforced?  The RFL have provided Hull KR with a loophole, and let them pass straight through it, using themselves as the shield by saying it was OK. 

In my opinion, the quota should stand for players on your payroll, not that are registered for the next game.  As for Hull Kr, They really need to get their acts sorted.  With Ben Cockayne's recent racist comments on facebook after losing his wallet in a taxi, now this, which I think reflects just as badly on them as it does the RFL  and license applications coming around again soon, its not the ideal press coverage.

Hopefully, this will blow over quickly, the RFL will stop this from happening again in the future, allowing Mason to wander off to Toulon.    Where this leaves KR as a club, only time will tell.

Big Willies bandwagon halted?

So it looks like by many accounts that Big Willie will be moving on after a year with Hull KR to play union in France with Toulon.

First reprted by Aussie Telegrpah post The big prop has been earmarked by the French outfit as an inside centre, moving at the end of the year on a reported 450,000 Euros.  This comes on the back of Hull KR preparing a press release about Mason and injured half back Micheal Dobson that is due today at 2pm.

Mason, who has more nationalities than a secret agent in being Kiwi/Aussie/Tongan is waiting for his Tongan passport to be cleared, freeing up the space for Dobson on the overseas quota.  But what if he couldnt find it?  Reports suggest he isnt moving until the end of the year, so would he keep the quota place? Id be more inclined to keep Dobson, although Clint Newton recently picked up an injury, so they could deregister him and use his place.

Opinion seems to be split as weather this is a rumour generated just before the announcement is made, or if this is genuinely going to happen.  I think that its certainly plausible.  Rugby's Man City have also signed some massive names in Jonny Willkinson, Matt Giteau and Bakkies Botha so maybe this is another marquee signing to add to the list.  Mason is a mercenary, so wouldnt suprise me if he did leave, and reports on both sides of the world suggest he was seen having dinner with Toulons president Mourad Boudjellal.

I hope though that the Mason circus doesnt push Dobson out.   He is a quality half back, and Rovers have missed him this year.  Mason has been on a steady decline over the last few years, and to me looks lathergic and unmotivated.

Come 2 oclock we should have some more info after Hull Kr's press release, but after all said and done, you cant deny that Big Willies bandwagon has been a quality marketing tool for Kr, if nothing else.

Wigan's Wane Gamble.

Micheal Maguire has announced that he will be leaving the Wigan Warriors at the end of the season to head back down under to take charge of Russel Crowe's South Sydney Rabbitohs side.

Shaun Wane

The usual name of Shaun Edwards was thrown into the mix very early on, but Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan stated that assistant coach Shaun Wane was in pole position to take the job.  I know nothing of Wade and his achievements going up through the ranks at Wigan, but are assistants moved to quickly in from assistant coaching to head coach?

Coaches such as Brian Noble and Rob Powell were also produced internally, and although Powell is still somewhat unproven in super league, he has started out well, with Harlequins playing some decent rugby.

But other recent appointments that follow similar decision paths seem to suggest they are, with Richard Agar currently unloved at Hull KR, Jimmy Lowes' unsuccessful stint as head of the Warrington and Steve McNamara's uninspiring job at Bradford before taking the England mantle.

But if not promotion from within, what other options do Wigan have? In terms of Englishman, current Championship coaches i think could be better choices that internally promoting.  Daryll Powell is doing a great job at Featherstone, and has experience at different levels.  Dennis Betts may have been mentioned before Widnes' successful application to Super League, but he has not really been touted. Australian Ian Millward may not be the best choice after his ill fated stint with them a few years ago, but i think that some kind of club experience is necessary when leading a top side.

The positives are that they may be settled in the area and have affiliation with the players but I think that the risk in internally promoting a coach is huge.  Players will never know how they will respond to a coaches training techniques, team talks, press conferences and tough losses, and fans may also take a dislike, which can cause increased tension.

I think Edwards would be a better choice, but best of look to Wane if we does get the job.  It will be interesting to see what players they sign, if any, and in Wane's case, if he can handles the pressure of Super League.  Other s haven't...

Widnes to superleague

Firstly congratulations to Widnes for gaining a place in super league.  Like I have mentioned before, I thought it harsh that they didn't make it in last time around, so could not see past them for this license.

They have announced during the last few days that they are to setup the ‘Viking stronghold’ whereby you can sign up for a monthly direct debit of between £14 and £18 (depending on when you sign up) instead of paying out for a season ticket.  You also get some extra perks, such as a 'retro' home top, electronic programme and team sheets via your mobile and other discounts.  Although not maybe as ground breaking as Steve O’Connor announced (Keighley and Saints have similar packages, less evolved), i think this is the model that super league clubs will probably use moving forward.

Steve Oconnor

It makes commercial sense for clubs to do so, but does also increase risk.  It should provide  sustainability, as it will stop them from overspending their early season ticket sales money, meaning that they can make monthly projections more precise.  I also expect it will increase ticket sales,  although maybe not increasing crowd sizes by too much.  Alot of Rugby fans will not have money to make a large one-off purchase like a season ticket, but a small direct debit coming out each month isn't as noticeable.


The downside for the club is that the new deal is non-committal. If the club were to go through a  rough patch on the field direct debits can be cancelled, taking the income out of the club and  potentially pushing them over their monthly projections, although if you do cancel during the off  season you are subject to a rejoining fee at the start of the next. Price freeze season tickets last year  for the Vikings were £156 and are still available, but fans are encouraged to join the new scheme, which at its most expensive would make around £216 per year.
 
I think the system should work, as long as fans stay committed.  The T-shirts, electronic programme and Team sheets by text are also a nice touch that should encourage fans to sign up, and as most  programmes now are jammed full of adverts, it seems a good way for them to market other products to fans.

The difference now is that the packages are now being pushed and promoted on the back of the license decision, and may be able to carry on the media wave that has risen since the franchise  announcement.  This will not only improve Vikings sales through advertising, but gives us another  chance to show that Rugby League is not just about our great sport on the field, but that it has great innovations off it too.