Bradford interested in Willie Mason

Ian Laybourn AAP Mon, May 02, 2011 - 8:40 PM


Bradford are poised to offer Willie Mason a way back into Super League after being left in limbo at Hull KR.

Bulls chairman Peter Hood said this morning his club would be interested in taking the controversial Australian forward on loan, particularly after losing three senior forwards to injury.

Mason, 31, joined Hull KR on a two-year contract, with an option for a third season, earlier this year but made only six appearances before being de-registered to make way for the return from injury of Australian scrum-half Michael Dobson.

Rovers have no vacancies on their import quota and had banked on Mason obtaining a Tongan passport in order to take advantage of the Cotonou trade agreement by being ranked as a non-overseas player.

Mason is still awaiting his Tongan passport and would need special dispensation from the Rugby Football League to be registered a second time which is unlikely to be forthcoming given all the wheeling and dealing that has already taken place.

The Robins, who are still paying Mason his reputed STG100,000 ($A153,000)-a-year salary, are ready to cut their losses - with the player rumoured to be set to make a move to French rugby union club Toulon for next season - and could be open to a loan deal.

Bradford have space on both their overseas quota and salary cap and yesterday lost French international forward Olivier Elima with a potentially season-ending knee injury.

With Nick Scruton and Jamie Langley also on the injury list, Hood admits a loan move for Mason would make sense and reveals he intends to open discussions with his Rovers counterpart Neil Hudgell.

"It is fair to say there is some interest," Hood told Press Association Sport.

"We have lost three senior forwards with a vast amount of experience between them and, although we have some very promising players, we are having to give them too much football.

"Would the addition of Willie Mason to our squad strengthen it as a result? You would have to say 'yes it would'.

"I've not had the opportunity yet to speak to Neil Hudgell but I hope to do so over the next week.

"We would also need the agreement of both the RFL and the UK Borders Agency in obtaining a work visa for him."

Huddersfield, who lost out to Hull KR in the initial pursuit of Mason, are now up to their full salary cap but the Bulls could face competition from Castleford, who last week lost Craig Huby with a fractured kneecap and have room on both their salary cap and overseas quota.