AUSTRALIAN Test star Willie Mason is being strongly linked to signing for Hull KR – and not Huddersfield Giants.
Reports down under have strongly suggested that the 30-year-old North Queensland Cowboys second row will join the Robins in a double swoop that will see Mason join Canterbury Bulldogs play-maker Blake Green at New Craven Park for Super League XVI.
Mason said last week that he was almost certain to leave the NRL at the end of the season and that it was “a two-horse race” between Hull KR and Nathan Brown’s Giants for his services.
After recently signing his North Queensland teammate Luke O’Donnell, Giants officials played down suggestions Mason was also set to join the club, while Hull KR coach Justin Morgan has made no secret of his desire to sign the former Test forward.
However, the Robins enthusiasm to strike a deal has been tempered by the club saying they will not pay over the odds and they have set a finite price to pay for the services of the forward who has played 24 times for Australia.
The Robins coach Justin Morgan said he would not enter into a bidding war and added: “We don’t get into that situation. We do due diligence on a player’s value.
“Would he add to our team? Yes, he would. Is it necessary that he arrives? The answer is no.
“It’s not the be-all and end-all, and it’s not like we’re desperate for back-rowers or front-rowers because we’ve already got some good quality players.”
