 |
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Marshall Mason | |
| Date of birth | 15 April 1980 | |
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Height | 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) | |
| Weight | 116 kg (18 st 4 lb) | |
| Nickname(s) | Mase, Big Willie | |
| Club information | ||
| Position(s) | Prop / Second row | |
| Current club | Sydney Roosters | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Years | Club | |
| Toronto Scorpions | ||
| Senior clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 2000 - 2007 2008 - |
 Bulldogs Sydney Roosters |
148 (144) 7 (8) |
| Representative teams** | ||
| 2000 2003 - 2004 2003 - 2002 - |
Image:Tonga colours.svg Tonga Country Origin New South Wales Australia |
3 2 (0) 10 (4) 27 (28) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
||
William Marshall Mason (born 15 April 1980 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a professional rugby league player in the Australian National Rugby League competition. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games He currently plays for the Sydney Roosters as well as representing New South Wales, Tonga and Australia. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The New South Wales Rugby League team represents the state of New South Wales annually in the Rugby League State of Origin competition against arch-rivals Queensland The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side representing Tonga in Rugby league. His position of choice is second row or front row. A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench
Contents |
Club career
Canterbury Bulldogs
Willie Mason joined the Canterbury Bulldogs at 17 years of age in 1998 and played in the junior U-18 Jersey Flegg competition. The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league After a year with the club Mason was again a regular member of the Flegg team in 1999 but unfortunately suffered a leg fracture in the game before the Bulldogs' Flegg Grand Final win. The following year, Mason moved into the NSWRL Premier League and mid-season received an opportunity to make his debut in the National Rugby League following an injury to first-grader Darren Britt. The New South Wales Cup or VB New South Wales Cup (for sponsorship reasons is a Rugby league competition for clubs in New South Wales Darren Britt (born October 9, 1969 in Orange New South Wales, Australia) was an Australian Rugby league player for the Mason made his debut on the 30th of April during the 2000 season against the Penrith Panthers. The year 2000 saw the third season of the National Rugby League competition the 93rd season of professional Rugby league football in Australia The Penrith Panthers is an Australian professional Rugby league football team He impressed early and became a regular member of the NRL team for the rest of the season.
In late 2000, Mason represented Tonga, the country of origin of his mother (his late father being Australian), in the Rugby League World Cup played in Great Britain and Ireland. The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side representing Tonga in Rugby league. The Rugby League World Cup is an international competition contested by the men's national rugby league teams of the member nations of the Rugby League International See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
Mason cemented a starting position at the Dogs during the 2001 season but was involved in the 2002 Bulldogs salary cap dramas. The year 2001 saw the fourth season of the National Rugby League premiership the 94th season of professional Rugby league football in Australia In mid-2002, the Bulldogs were found guilty of serious and systemic breaches of the salary cap. The club was stripped of all 37 competition points. The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time). Mason therefore missed out on the opportunity to take a Minor-Premiership and quite realistically a shot at the 2002 Grand Final. On a positive note during the year Mason was selected to make his debut for Australia. Since then Mason has played a total of 21 Tests for his country and is the Bulldogs' most-capped Test Player.
In 2003 Mason's consistent performance was rewarded as he made his debut for New South Wales in Game 3 of the 2003 State of Origin Series. The New South Wales Rugby League team represents the state of New South Wales annually in the Rugby League State of Origin competition against arch-rivals Queensland State of Origin is an annual best-of-three series of Rugby league matches between the Maroons, representing the state of Queensland, and the Blues The following year the Dogs reached the 2004 Grand Final and Willie Mason experienced Grand Final glory as the Dogs triumphed 16-13 over the Sydney Roosters. The year 2004 's National Rugby League season was the 97th season of professional Rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Mason was further awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for 'Man-of-the-Match in a Grand Final'. The Clive Churchill Medal has been presented to the man-of-the-match of the Australian first grade Rugby league Grand Final ever since 1986.
Disaster struck for Mason in 2005 as Willie's season was over before it even started. He suffered a fractured ankle during Australia's 36-24 win over USA in an international rugby league friendly match at Philadelphia's Franklin Field in December 2004. Mason was out of action for most of the season and did not play in the NRL until Round 18 where the Bulldogs were experiencing a Grand-Final hangover and already stuck in the bottom-eight of the competition.
In 2006, Willie returned to become a regular member of the Bulldogs team where he managed to play 20 club matches (1157 minutes), all three Origin games for NSW - in which he was named Man of the Match in the opening game and three Tests for Australia in the Tri-Nations series. He was a firm figure in the clubs return to finals football as the Bulldogs finished second on the ladder, the Dogs were beaten by eventual Premiers the Brisbane Broncos one game shy of the Grand Final. The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional Rugby league club based in the city of Brisbane Queensland. Many believe if it wasn't for his suspension following an incident in Round 24 against Brisbane, he could have well been named the Dally M Player of the Year. The Dally M Awards is an awards night which aims to honour the finest players each year in the Australasian National Rugby League competition In consolation for Mason he was nominated for the Provan Summons Medal for fan's player of the year.
In 2007, Mason was selected for all three Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in the ANZAC Test match.
End of 2007 season
At the conclusion of the 2007 NRL season, Mason attracted media coverage. It began circulating that Mason was unhappy at the Bulldogs and on the 31 October 2007 The Daily Telegraph reported that Willie wanted to quit the Bulldogs after an altercation with the club's CEO Malcolm Noad, which apparently came about after Mason was told he would be fined $50,000AUD because he did not attend an end of season lunch with the Bulldogs. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Daily Telegraph is a Tabloid Newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News The Bulldogs board officially denied this and a war-of-words began between the star forward and his clubs board. Things further went sour when the club rejected Masons request to fight in a professional boxing match that could have earned Mason up to $100,000AUD. [1] On the 1 November 2007 the Daily Herald reported that Willie was to be released from the final two years of his contract after the club rejected his chance to fight in a professional boxing match worth up to $100,000AUD and because the club claimed to be fining Willie $50,000AUD for failure to attend an end of season function, something the Bulldogs denied. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Daily Herald was a British Newspaper, published in London from 1912 to 1964 (although it was weekly during the First World War The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas [2] The speculation that Mason was to be released from his contract led to a number of English & Australian clubs confirming they were in the hunt for Mason's services for 2008. Hull FC confirmed they were in talks with Willie Mason's agent Greg Keenan about a possible move to the KC Stadium. Hull FC is a professional Rugby league football club formed in 1865 and based in Hull, East Yorkshire, England. The Kingston Communications Stadium, often shortened to KC Stadium or just the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull (Hull [3] Another English Super League club Harlequins RL met with Keenan while he was in the UK and Wigan Warriors owner Ian Lenagan made Mason a £1. See Harlequin FC for the sister rugby union club Harlequins Rugby League is a Rugby league club representing the greater London Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional Rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. 5m, three-year offer to move to the JJB Stadium. The JJB Stadium (often referred to as The JJB) is a sports stadium located within the Robin Park Complex in Newtown Wigan, Lancashire. [4] Lenagan since denied that he would be bringing Mason to Wigan, but did not distance himself from trying to sign Mason to the London based Harlequins RL. Ian Lenagan (Born 1946, Scholes Wigan) is a Business entrepreneur theatre producer and shareholder of Harlequins RL & Oxford United FC as See Harlequin FC for the sister rugby union club Harlequins Rugby League is a Rugby league club representing the greater London [5] Although the English Super League clubs could offer Mason a lot more dollars it appeared early on that Mason was intent on the staying in the NRL and the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks emerged as the three clubs that were the most likely in signing the star forward. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The St George Illawarra Dragons are an Australian professional Rugby league football team The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney
Sydney Roosters
After the Roosters were able to release back-rower Ashley Harrison to the Gold Coast Titans, and promising young forward Danny Williams to the Bulldogs, it freed up around $250,000 of funds to make a decent pitch for Mason and on 15 November it was confirmed that Willie Mason had signed a three-year deal with the Eastern Suburbs based club. Ashley Harrison (born 18 May, 1981 in Brisbane Queensland) is a professional Rugby league player for the Gold Coast Titans in the [6]
Representative career
In 2002, Mason was selected for the Australian team against Great Britain, scoring a try on debut. Great Britain was traditionally one of the major national teams playing Rugby league. He also previously represented Tonga in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. The twelfth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain, Ireland and France in October and November of the year 2000 He has played 17 international matches, including the 2003 Kangaroo Tour, and 2004-5 Tri-Nations tournaments. Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian Rugby league tours of Great Britain and France The Rugby League Tri-Nations (also known as the Gillette Tri-Nations for sponsorship reasons is a Rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport
Mason was first selected for New South Wales in State of Origin in 2003, and appeared for New South Wales on 11 occasions, winning the man-of-the-match award in the first game in 2006. The New South Wales Rugby League team represents the state of New South Wales annually in the Rugby League State of Origin competition against arch-rivals Queensland State of Origin is an annual best-of-three series of Rugby league matches between the Maroons, representing the state of Queensland, and the Blues
Mason was televised appearing to swear during the New Zealand haka, before game 1 of the 2006 Gillette Tri-nations Series. A haka is a traditional Dance form of the Māori of New Zealand. The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations was hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. Later in the match Mason suffered a swollen black eye and suspected broken eye socket after a headknock by David Kidwell. David Kidwell (born 23 April 1977 in Christchurch New Zealand) is a professional Rugby league player in the National Rugby League competition [11] Mason has explained that his swearing was in response to the traditional Māori dance being performed by Brent Webb, an Indigenous Australian of Torres Strait Islander origin who became a New Zealand citizen. This article discusses the Māori people of New Zealand For their language see Māori language, and for other meanings see Māori (disambiguation. Brent Webb is an Australian born New Zealand Rugby league player for Leeds Rhinos in the European Super League. Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, part of Queensland, Australia. Mason later described Kidwell's hit as a "cheap shot" and promised to respond.
His actions in Great Britain's defeat of Australia earned him a ban from the game and a fine of $2,500 after striking Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden. Stuart Fielden (born September 14, 1979 in Halifax West Yorkshire) is an English Rugby league player An incident where Mason punched Fielden in the face for no apparent reason and was subsequently punched and knocked to the ground by Fielden's team mate Jamie Peacock. James "Jamie" Peacock (born 14 December 1977) is an English professional Rugby league player for the Leeds Rhinos.
NFL Prospects
In June 2006, news speculation surfaced that Mason was considering joining the United States' National Football League (NFL), a childhood dream. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. He was said to be courted by several teams, including the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team [12] In July it was confirmed the New York Giants had offered him the opportunity to trial with them after the Rugby League Tri-Nations series finishes in November. The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. [13] However, the Canterbury club had dismissed the deal, and Mason remained with the club beyond 2006. [14]
In December 2006, Mason took part in a trial with the New York Jets, but still maintained he would fulfil his contract with the Bulldogs until the end of the 2009 season. The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. [15] Mason said "I'm probably at the time in my career now where maybe it is time for a change. New York City is the capital of the world. I'm pretty sure I could settle in there if given the opportunity,. . . "[16]. However a Jets representative stated that Mason even being offered a contract was very unlikely, "I don't think they were even football drills, it was more of a visit. We just had a look at him and that is where we left it. " The Jets coach Eric Mangini was impressed with Mason, saying "Willie is a guy that came to our attention, he is a pretty good rugby player, and it was just one of those opportunities we had, where we have to take a look at him. Eric Mangini (born January 19, 1971 in Hartford Connecticut) is the current Head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL What we're doing is taking a look at him, seeing what potential there is for him. He seems to have been a pretty dynamic guy in that league for a long time. He seemed relatively feisty when I spoke to him. "
The Bulldogs never anticipated any move, saying "Willie has given us his guarantee he will be with us. " [17] Following Mason's release from the Bulldogs and signing with the Roosters it seems his dream of playing in the NFL has been put on hold.
Controversy
Willie Mason has been associated with many controversial off-field incidents which have received media publicity due to his high-profile in the National Rugby League.
In 2002, Mason is reported to have run from a taxi to avoid paying the fare. [7][8] In 2003, He tested positive to an illicit social drug, reported to be an amphetamine, and was fined $25,000 by his club. Amphetamine, and related drugs such as Methamphetamine are a group of drugs that act by increasing levels of Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopamine Mason has never commented on the issue publicly. [9] In 2004, Mason along with Trent Waterhouse, Craig Wing, Craig Gower and Mark O'Meley, were fined for unprofessional behaviour and for leaving the team hotel after the side had returned from the night out. Trent Waterhouse (born 8 January, 1981 in Paddington New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player for the Craig Wing (born 26 December 1979 in Sydney New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player Craig Gower (born 29 April 1978) is an Australian Rugby league and Rugby union player who was the former halfback for the Penrith Panthers Mark O'Meley (born 22 May, 1981 in West Wyalong New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player for the [10] Mason forged another player's signature at an autograph event, and after a heavy drinking session with team mates, reportedly visited a brothel. For the 2008 film of this name see The Brothel. For the television series of this name see Cathouse The Series. [11][12][13]
At Sydney Airport in 2007, Mason verbally challenged a female reporter from radio station 2GB, resulting in a complaint from 2GB to the Bulldogs club and the ARL[14][15] Mason later admitted to the outburst, which was captured on audio recordings, and apologised to 2GB journalist Michelle Keighran. Sydney Airport (also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport), is located in the Sydney suburb of Mascot. 2GB is a commercial Radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 KHz, AM. The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league The Australian Rugby League (ARL is the governing body for the Sport of Rugby league in Australia [16] Mason is sponsored by sportswear manufacturer, Champion, which almost severed its contract with the controversial footballer as a result of the incident. Sportswear (or Active attire) is Clothing, including Footwear, worn for Sport or exercise Champion is a manufacturer of Clothing, specializing in Sportswear. [17]
Also in 2007, Mason was involved in a nightclub altercation with the out-spoken Richie Williams, who Mason claimed shows no respect to the older players in the NRL and is a cocky kid who has yet to prove himself in the NRL. Richard "Richie" Williams (born 31 May, 1986 in Moruya New South Wales) an Indigenous Australian, is a professional [18] Mason was voted the most hated player by a fans poll in 2007. [19]
In February 2008 Mason and his new Roosters team-mate Anthony Tupou were charged with urinating in a public place during a visit to Port Macquarie. Anthony Tupou (born 1 March 1984 is an Australian professional Rugby league player for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL Port Macquarie is a large town on the mid- North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, located about 390 km north of Sydney, and 570km south of Brisbane [20]
References
- ^ "Willie Mason threatens to quit Bulldogs", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-10-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Retrieved on 2007-10-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse
- ^ "Bulldogs, mauler Mason part ways", The Daily Herald, 2007-11-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Retrieved on 2007-10-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse
- ^ Aussie ace Mason holds Hull talks. BBC (2007-11-05). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany) Retrieved on 2007-11-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany)
- ^ Wigan move for Aussie ace Mason. BBC (2007-11-10). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw Retrieved on 2007-11-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days
- ^ Lenagan Denies Mason Link. Wigan Warriors (2007-11-12). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Retrieved on 2007-11-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days
- ^ Roosters line up big Willie for three years as Dragons, Wigan drop out of race. LeagueHQ (2007-11-14). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Retrieved on 2007-11-14. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca
- ^ The Age, 26 March 2004. Story:"Mason to play despite drug scandal"[1]
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 26 March, 2004. Story:"Mason to line up for Dogs"[2]
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 25 March, 2004. Story:"Bulldogs star Mason failed drug test"[3]
- ^ NRL. com; Anthony Minichiello dismissed from State of Origin, 21/05/04
- ^ The Age, 21 May, 2004. Story:"Minichiello sacked from State of Origin side"[4]
- ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 May, 2004. Story:"How booze shattered the Blues"[5]
- ^ NZ Herald, 18 April 2007. Story:"League: Mason strikes again - because the ARL lets him"[6]
- ^ http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/mason-in-outburst-at-reporter/2007/04/16/1176575692319.html Sydney Morning Herald, 16 April, 2007. Story: "Mason in outburst at reporter"
- ^ http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21562854-23214,00.html Fox Sport, 16 April, 2007. Story: "Mason in trouble again".
- ^ http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/im-sorry-says-silly-willie/2007/04/16/1176575727971.html Sydney Morning Herald, 16 April, 2007. Story: "I'm sorry, says silly Willie"
- ^ Fox Sports, 26 April, 2007. Story:"Willie nearly blows deal"[7]
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 1 May, 2007. Story:"Williams, Mason in nightclub row"[8]
- ^ news. com. au, 27 July, 2007. Story:"Mason most hated . . . again"[9]
- ^ news. com. au, 19 February, 2008. Story:"NRL stars fined for peeing in public"[10]
External links
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