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Willie's a wuss, legend says
By Mick Daly
November 23, 2006
FORMER Great Britain skipper Tommy Bishop has ridiculed Willie Mason's enforcer status, accusing the Australia hardman of running scared and playing like a "wuss".
Bishop, one of league's toughest ever competitors, claimed Mason had "catted it" after knocking out Lions big man Stuart Fielden in Sydney three weeks ago.
Mason returns from suspension against New Zealand in Saturday night's Tri Nations final, and Bishop has challenged the Bulldogs giant to prove his mettle.
Bishop said Mason should have ripped into the Britain forwards after he decked Fielden but instead sat on his heels.
"He should have run with gusto and really put it into them," Bishop said.
"Then he could say, 'Yeah, I'm a tough guy'. But he didn't do that. He was a little bit wary of things. He never took the ball up for six times after that.
"I'd like to see him play against guys from 30 years ago and see how he went with them.
"But it's a different era now. He wouldn't have lasted two minutes."
Bishop said if Mason tried to intimidate the Kiwis, they should whack him even harder.
"The sort of punch he gave Fielden was like a baby slap," he said.
Former Australia Test prop Greg Dowling returned serve at Bishop, saying last night that he would happily "go to war" with Mason by his side.
Dowling said Mason was as courageous and strong as any forward of the past 20 years.
"Tommy's comments are crazy. Willie's record speaks for itself," Dowling said.
"You don't play Test and Origin football or win premierships if you don't have heart.
"I would have Willie Mason in my side any day of the week. He is a modern day warrior with plenty of guts."
Former Balmain and Kangaroos hardman Steve Roach also stood up for Mason.
"He's knocked the so-called best front rower in the game out in one hit," Roach said.
By Mick Daly
November 23, 2006
FORMER Great Britain skipper Tommy Bishop has ridiculed Willie Mason's enforcer status, accusing the Australia hardman of running scared and playing like a "wuss".
Bishop, one of league's toughest ever competitors, claimed Mason had "catted it" after knocking out Lions big man Stuart Fielden in Sydney three weeks ago.
Mason returns from suspension against New Zealand in Saturday night's Tri Nations final, and Bishop has challenged the Bulldogs giant to prove his mettle.
Bishop said Mason should have ripped into the Britain forwards after he decked Fielden but instead sat on his heels.
"He should have run with gusto and really put it into them," Bishop said.
"Then he could say, 'Yeah, I'm a tough guy'. But he didn't do that. He was a little bit wary of things. He never took the ball up for six times after that.
"I'd like to see him play against guys from 30 years ago and see how he went with them.
"But it's a different era now. He wouldn't have lasted two minutes."
Bishop said if Mason tried to intimidate the Kiwis, they should whack him even harder.
"The sort of punch he gave Fielden was like a baby slap," he said.
Former Australia Test prop Greg Dowling returned serve at Bishop, saying last night that he would happily "go to war" with Mason by his side.
Dowling said Mason was as courageous and strong as any forward of the past 20 years.
"Tommy's comments are crazy. Willie's record speaks for itself," Dowling said.
"You don't play Test and Origin football or win premierships if you don't have heart.
"I would have Willie Mason in my side any day of the week. He is a modern day warrior with plenty of guts."
Former Balmain and Kangaroos hardman Steve Roach also stood up for Mason.
"He's knocked the so-called best front rower in the game out in one hit," Roach said.
