Hull KR have released their high-profile signing Willie Mason after just six months of his three-year contract.
Australia international poised for switch to French union side
Hull KR have released their high-profile signing Willie Mason after just six months of his three-year contract.
The 31-year-old signed a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, but the club has now decided to cut their losses after just six games from their controversial star.
Mason, an Australia international, was de-registered by the Engage Super League club last month after he was unable to secure a Tongan passport which would have enabled him to come off their overseas quota.
Statement
Hull posted a brief statement on their website that said: "Willie Mason has left Hull Kingston Rovers with immediate effect. The club will be making no further comment at this time."
Mason's career has long been tailed by controversy, the latest episode coming when he travelled to France last month to meet officials from Toulon Rugby Union club.
Ever since that emerged, Mason and Hull KR have been in conflict, happening as it did just five games into his new career, without his employers' permission or knowledge.
Further claims have surfaced that Mason may have even met with Toulon officials before he signed for Rovers.
Sanction
As a sanction, Hull KR have stopped Mason's pay, citing a breach of contract by discussing a potential move, and the player has not been seen at Craven Park since handing in a transfer request.
Toulon are reported to have offered Mason a contract that quadruples his wages to around £395,000 annually, but Rovers now hope to reclaim the majority of any wages paid to the player through compensation from Toulon, if he signs for them.
It is all a far cry from when Mason arrived at the club with much fanfare in March and made an immediate impact with a man-of-the-match display, as Rovers beat the Crusaders 40-22.
