Hull KR's Liam Salter will miss pre-season after shoulder op

“I have been reminded by a colleague that a fixed abode in the UK is also an important issue of the UKBA.”

“well that cleared things up ..lol”

“Aussieoz (and talisman), for UKBA purposes, if an overseas player under the age of 21 is of British origin then they can enter the UK as long as they have employment/education in this country (as in the case of George Griffin). If an overseas player is of European origin the Kolpak ruling comes into force and is eligible to enter the UK as long as they have employment/education here. If an overseas player is of South Pacific zone origin there is a loophole (Rovers tried to use it with Willie Mason) which acts in the same way as the Kolpak ruling (ie Tyler Hepi). If, however, they are of Oz or NZ origin then Tier 2 work permit criteria comes into play.

There's more!

For RFL and SL purposes, having qualified under UKBA rules, any overseas player under the age of 21 does not automatically qualify as 'club-trained' (or fed-trained, as it is also known), that needs a 3yr period to qualify under existing rules. As far as I am aware, any qualifying overseas player under the age of 21 is not included on the non-fed trained or quota but is eligible for first grade selection i.e. Griffin. At present, when an overseas player who doesn't qualify as fed-trained when they turn 21 is no longer eligible to register with SL clubs. They would be eligible for the non-fed/quota spaces.

I know, it is as clear as mud. Thank goodness we have our illustrious CEO Mike Smith in charge of this Lol!”

“australianoz how you doing mate, thank you for letting everyone know how it works it is very confusing, i have a question in the rugby league weekly this week they is a interview with neil hudgell about hull taking some kr players and he states we are not going to throw cash at average players no more and hope they will bring us a winning team, but were hull are throwing money at people they will come unstuck when they reduce the quota by another 2 to 3 spots in next few seasons we are trying to copy saints were they went for youth for a few seasons did not a lot yet they are there or not far off now, he also states kr are after 2 or 3 wigan fringe players and cash for taylor and about to get them and he states kr looks like they have wrapped up the players from overseas now. so it will be intreasting if we do sign some players from aus on student type visas also he states we are looking for a fullback and another forward”

“Talisman,talked to one of the people who went to australia( cant say hes my nephew it upsets people)Mr Mcrea is right it is not easy,however visas are available for work experience or students for a limited period,or if they have a dual passport.Both KR & FC use these options and they dont count on the quota as they are club trained,it is complicated but he described it to me as like a student exchange where both parties gain from the excersize,has to be ratified by both ARL & RFL. I know like everything in rugby league...clear as mud.”

“talisman- watching the modern game, imo there's no biff anymore. in oz there was/is a campaign to bring back the biff. it certainly added a edge to games. i like many others like to see the players have a go, after all it's rugby not football. although in saying that, i've not had the urge to have a go on the terraces,just that it's good to see now n then. shows passion in players.”

“easthullfc, I agree with every single point you make.

Especially when you consider how the players of today are full time professionals, yet back then most were semi-professional.

Furthermore, todays sports science is far more advanced and is well able to cope with the 'extra' demands, but I will qualify my remarks by saying the switch from winter to summer has placed far more demands on SL players physically, and needs to be researched in more detail.

One of the problems with summer rugby is that in the Feb-Oct cycle only 3 months can be safely labelled as 'summer'. Also, pre-season over here takes place in cold-weather conditions, which more often than not disrupts what ought to be the building blocks of the next season.

I would love it if those days could return, but I very much doubt it.”

“DR ..why do always name call when your made to look silly, don't you think your a bit old for that sort of thing? for someone in their 50s its rather childish, and again you repeat that one of your best moments watching Rovers was a thuggish act however you dress it up you said it . just a observation”

“Australan oz thanks for that,asked because when Mcrea was asked about young up and coming Aussies he said its really complicated system getting visas for them.”

“ben fisher has retired and has joined london as an assistant coach”