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GREG Bird has emerged as the key to Willie Mason's exit from the Roosters, with Super League club Catalans interested in saving the former Test forward's career.
Given until January by the Roosters to find a new club, Mason remains in negotiations with at least two Japanese rugby union clubs. However, a phone call from Catalans coach Kevin Walters could lead the exiled Rooster to France.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Walters contacted Mason's manager Greg Keenan - and several other high-profile league figures - to discuss the possibility of luring Mason to Catalans next season.
Without any official offer from Japanese rugby, Mason's manager left for Europe on Wednesday. "He (Walters) wanted to know what would it take and also if he would be interested,'' a source close to Mason told The Sunday Telegraph. "He's keen to get Willie there.''
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But after signing Melbourne Storm forward Dallas Johnson last week on a reported $1.2million three-year deal _ they have already signed former Roosters centre Setaimata Sa - Catalans may not be able to match Mason's asking price.
That's why Bird, the Catalans captain, has become a key figure. The former Cronulla star returns to court tomorrow to appeal against the eight-month jail term handed down in June for recklessly wounding girlfriend Katie Milligan last year.
If Bird's appeal is successful, he is expected to sign a new deal with the Gold Coast Titans that would see him return to the NRL - freeing up room for Mason under the salary cap.
"If he gets through this week and it's resolved in a way that is satisfactory to Greg, we'll sit down and have a chat to him,'' Titans chief executive Michael Searle said. "But we can only offer him an opportunity.We don't have a lot of money under the salary cap so it would be an incentive deal. It's up to Greg what he does with that.''
If cleared, Bird has the option of re-signing with Catalans after they forwarded him a four-year deal, but with the support of Milligan the former Australia five-eighth is set on rebuilding his career in the NRL.
Any offer to Mason would be topped up by a release fee from the Roosters, who are willing to pay out the final year of his $500,000-a-season contract. It's believed the Roosters are willing to fork out $100,000 to let Mason, 29, go.
Roosters officials are eager to release the former Test forward after he failed to live up to his potential since his controversial switch from the Bulldogs after the 2008 season. Former St George prop Jason Ryles has been brought to the club as his replacement.
It's understood Mason is expected to receive a contract from one of two Japanese clubs over the next 10 days.
The soon-to-be-married Mason remains in Sydney, training in exile as the Roosters move on without him in preparation for the 2010 season under new coach Brian Smith.
Given until January by the Roosters to find a new club, Mason remains in negotiations with at least two Japanese rugby union clubs. However, a phone call from Catalans coach Kevin Walters could lead the exiled Rooster to France.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Walters contacted Mason's manager Greg Keenan - and several other high-profile league figures - to discuss the possibility of luring Mason to Catalans next season.
Without any official offer from Japanese rugby, Mason's manager left for Europe on Wednesday. "He (Walters) wanted to know what would it take and also if he would be interested,'' a source close to Mason told The Sunday Telegraph. "He's keen to get Willie there.''
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
But after signing Melbourne Storm forward Dallas Johnson last week on a reported $1.2million three-year deal _ they have already signed former Roosters centre Setaimata Sa - Catalans may not be able to match Mason's asking price.
That's why Bird, the Catalans captain, has become a key figure. The former Cronulla star returns to court tomorrow to appeal against the eight-month jail term handed down in June for recklessly wounding girlfriend Katie Milligan last year.
If Bird's appeal is successful, he is expected to sign a new deal with the Gold Coast Titans that would see him return to the NRL - freeing up room for Mason under the salary cap.
"If he gets through this week and it's resolved in a way that is satisfactory to Greg, we'll sit down and have a chat to him,'' Titans chief executive Michael Searle said. "But we can only offer him an opportunity.We don't have a lot of money under the salary cap so it would be an incentive deal. It's up to Greg what he does with that.''
If cleared, Bird has the option of re-signing with Catalans after they forwarded him a four-year deal, but with the support of Milligan the former Australia five-eighth is set on rebuilding his career in the NRL.
Any offer to Mason would be topped up by a release fee from the Roosters, who are willing to pay out the final year of his $500,000-a-season contract. It's believed the Roosters are willing to fork out $100,000 to let Mason, 29, go.
Roosters officials are eager to release the former Test forward after he failed to live up to his potential since his controversial switch from the Bulldogs after the 2008 season. Former St George prop Jason Ryles has been brought to the club as his replacement.
It's understood Mason is expected to receive a contract from one of two Japanese clubs over the next 10 days.
The soon-to-be-married Mason remains in Sydney, training in exile as the Roosters move on without him in preparation for the 2010 season under new coach Brian Smith.
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