0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Eddie in hunt for Mason
June 18, 2009
Article from: The Australian
FORMER Wallabies coach Eddie Jones could come to the rescue of the Sydney Roosters by taking Willie Mason off their hands.
It is understood Jones -- a coaching consultant at Japanese rugby union club Suntory -- has been attempting to contact Mason's manager Greg Keenan to talk about a potential move to Japan.
The Australian revealed in March the Roosters were willing to let Mason leave if he secured an overseas deal.
After initially denying the story, Roosters officials confirmed this week Mason was free to go if an alternative eventuated.
Jones, and Suntory, could be that alternative. The former Wallabies mentor has also been linked with Karmichael Hunt and it is understood informal talks have taken place with the Brisbane and Queensland fullback.
However, amid growing speculation Hunt could remain in the NRL, Jones may be ready to turn his attention to Mason, who remains one of the highest profile players in the game despite a mixed season for his club.
It isn't the first time the former NSW and Australia forward has attracted attention from rugby union -- or Jones.
Four years ago when Mason was considering a switch of codes, he held talks with Jones. However, the move to sign Mason was scuppered by then-ARU chief executive Gary Flowers, who informed Jones there would be no offer to Mason.
Three years before that, former NSW Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer held talks with Mason over a potential move to rugby union.
Hunt, in camp with the Maroons in the lead-up to the second State of Origin game, has been linked with St George Illawarra in recent weeks, although Dragons officials have denied they have made a play for the former Test custodian.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Eddie you have lost the plot
Two arseholes.
the punters friend..... stick with me and you will be wearing
dammit. tried to post a pic here but it wont work. sorry all.
Love the title!
They'll need to do an update....
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rcTU4RWsdI[/YOUTUBE]
Love the title, I thought Eddie had exited the closet for a second!
nup, still in there!
C'mon the![]()
![]()
I don't know why Eddie would need to look for it. He's had both hands on it for years![]()
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Perhaps he needs black pepper, tweezers and a magnifying glass?
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Sumo is Willie Mason's only chance in Japan
By Andrew Webster | June 20, 2009 12:00am
STOP the presses right freakin' now! Today, we can exclusively reveal that Willie Mason is being courted by Japanese . . . sumo.
Okay, the mail is dodgy but what isn't are the whispers out of the Land of the Rising Sun that there's more chance of him running at walls of flab than into the teeth of Japanese rugby defences.
Mason has reportedly been granted permission from the Roosters to negotiate with other clubs. His manager, Greg Keenan, is apparently eyeing off a juicy $700,000 deal in Japan - although where remains a mystery.
Gallery: Willie Mason's career ups and downs
Yet several Japanese rugby sources were laughing into their sakes about Mason's possible defection when contacted this week.
As one said: "He's not playing very well, for an NRL team coming last. Do you think they'd sign him for $700,000?"
Others were adamant the more relevant issue wasn't Mason's lack of rah-rah knowledge but behavioural concerns. Japanese clubs are intensely protective of their brand and are loath to sign loose cannons. Rightly or wrongly, Google is no friend of Willie.
Former Wallaby prop Ewen McKenzie wouldn't dismiss Mason's chances of making it in rugby - but doubted it.
"He could, possibly, make it," said McKenzie, the Stade Francais coach who is in Australia enjoying a break during the French competition's off-season. "The transition for a forward takes a lot of work, over several seasons. (All Black) Brad Thorn did it but he had a rugby background. And they like matchwinners in Japan. It would have to be a quick transition.
"I've seen this before. Managers float their players' name out there when there's no interest from the club. Happens all the time."
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006066,00.html
Asashoryu must be quaking in his boots
Emperor Clobbersaurus?