Willie Mason signs with Toulon

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

May or may not belong here, but Im sure it will be of more discussion here then in the ESL section.

WILLIE Mason will line up alongside Matt Giteau in French rugby next season for Toulon in a shock code switch.

The cashed-up Top 14 outfit has outlayed 450,000 Euros to ensure Mason follows in the footsteps of his former Bulldogs teammate Sonny Bill Williams.

It's likely he, like Williams, will play inside centre, switching from a rugby league forward to a powerful rugby back.

Mason visited Toulon last Wednesday with his London-based manager Greg Keenan.

According to French reports he was "seen having coffee with [Toulon president] Mourad Boudjellal".

Boudjellal is the eccentric comic book publisher who owns Toulon and signs the biggest cheques in world rugby to recruit the best players.

Giteau recently signed a $900,000-a-year contract to join Toulon's galaxy of stars.

English Test star Jonny Wilkinson is already playing for Toulon, and Springboks hardman Bakkies Botha will join the side next year.

There's also speculation that Williams will return to Toulon, and once again will play alongside his former Bulldogs teammate.

Toulon recently offered the All Black a staggering $1.8 million per season to return to the south of France after the Rugby World Cup.

Williams joined Toulon after fleeing his Bulldogs contract in 2008, and played for two seasons before returning to New Zealand last year.

In dominant form for the Crusaders, Williams has been among the best players in the Super Rugby competition and his former French employer is keen to re-sign him.

But the signing of Mason as a centre could also be Toulon's back-up option.

Mason is not in the same class of athlete as SBW but Toulon may be keen to see if they could transfer his 118kg size and handling ability into a line-breaking role at centre.

Mason also holds a Tongan passport, which would mean he does not qualify as a foreign import for Toulon.

Mason has considered a code switch before, having spoken with then-NSW coach Ewen McKenzie about joining the Waratahs in 2007.

He also visited Japan in 2009 to talk with rugby clubs.

The former Kangaroo recently joined English Super League club Hull on a three-year contract.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/mason-a-french-rugby-target/story-e6frexnr-1226041761085

 

[aqua_duck]

He'll be a flop. SBW is a different class of athlete, may not be as big but he's every bit as strong, much quicker and more agile and has alot better hands. Mason will be nothing more than a battering ram

 

[BM1979]

He'll be a flop. SBW is a different class of athlete, may not be as big but he's every bit as strong, much quicker and more agile and has alot better hands. Mason will be nothing more than a battering ram

I agree, its a lot harder to transition as a forward , much different to playing in the backs like Sonny Bill was able to do

 

[aqua_duck]

Also SBW has the athleticism and the skill set to be a back, Mason is mobile for his size but that's about it

 

[kmav23]

Amazing money .... lucky them... dont think Mason cares if he can play centre or not with the amount of money being paid.....

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Poor Hulls KR. He was their biggest signing ever I think.

 

[SerbDragon]

mason will be eligible for the men of league foundation soon.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Players should be signing up to get Willies agent, biggest swifty ever!

Great player but seriously at his age and being a forward its solid gold!

 

[Pierced Soul]

Poor Hulls KR. He was their biggest signing ever I think.

this

i feel sorry for them, a lot of fanfare was made of his signing. he's missed some of the seaosn already due to visa issues and now he's going again...

 

[Johns Magic]

Pffft, he will be useless.

 

[Perth Red]

pretty good business for HKR really. Will get a good compensation cheque from Toulon and they will have sold plenty of memberships on the publicity of his signing. He was never going to make a huge difference for them on the field so now they are pretty cashed up to go after a decent player.

 

[Goldfields_Titans]

May or may not belong here, but Im sure it will be of more discussion here then in the ESL section.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/mason-a-french-rugby-target/story-e6frexnr-1226041761085

S.P.E.C.U.L.A.T.I.O.N :roll:

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

S.P.E.C.U.L.A.T.I.O.N :roll:

Just posting the article mate.

 

[Paullyboy]

I hope for the good of the game in England he doesn't go. I read the articles about the interest his arrival created and it can only have benefited rugby league.

As a player he may not be that great anymore, but I'm sure anyone ESL club would love the publicity that he brings.

 

[Perth Red]

Poor Hulls KR. He was their biggest signing ever I think.

Not close; Roger Millward, Arthur Beetson, Gavin Miller (first time), Clive Sullivan would all be above Mason imo.

Certainly the biggest in the modern era though.

 

[hutch]

How pathetic is it that a 31 yr old who has never played the sport is offered that sort of money! Mason has publicly bagged union for years, but no surprise that he would follow the money at this stage!

 

[Once Dead]

Is there speculation that he has financial difficulties? Something about a massive mortgage?

I wouldn't be surprised if the switch was true...however, after watching Hull KR play on television the other week I can't help but feel bad for them after they rode the wave of Mason fanfare.

 

[Coleworld]

It wouldn't surprise me if he decides to comeback to the ESL after this stint in Union, he will fail, at age 31 to make the transition to Union as a forward but i guess its all about what pays the bills. I wish the French Rugby League had half the money that the French Union has.

 

[bennySW]

its a bonus for his pension.. he is old / slow and doesnt know the game. suppose someone needs to run the water to the likes of Wilkinson - Giteau - Henson and Co.

 

[Skinner]

Who really cares about the limp dick...rugger is welcome to him.