Willie Mason
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Willie Mason (born William Marshall Mason April 15, 1980 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an Australian rugby league player.He currently plays for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for New South Wales and Australia. His position of choice is second row or front row.
He is one of eight children, Shouna, Leslie, Willie (himself), Thelma, Louisa, Olivia, Rodney and Akesa. He moved to Australia when he was 5.
[edit] Career
Mason made his NRL debut for Canterbury against Penrith Panthers on 30 April, 2000, and has since played over 100 matches for the club.
In 2002, Mason was selected for the Australian team against Great Britain, scoring a try on debut. He also previously represented Tonga in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He has played 17 international matches, including the 2003 Kangaroo Tour, and 2004-5 Tri-Nations tournaments.
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. Recently certain commentators, among them Phil Gould, suggested that Mason is capable of becoming the next captain of the New South Wales State of Origin team[citation needed].
Mason was the winner of the 2004 Clive Churchill Medal for his best-on-ground performance in the 2004 National Rugby League Grand Final, won 16-13 by the Bulldogs over Sydney Roosters.
Mason was televised appearing to swear during the New Zealand haka, before game 1 of the 2006 Gillette Tri-nations Series. Later in the match Mason suffered a swollen black eye and suspected broken eye socket after a headknock by David Kidwell. [1] 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. Mason later described Kidwell's hit as a "cheap shot" and promised to respond.
His actions in Great Britain's defeat of Australia have earnt him a ban from the game. Striking Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden, leaving the GB prop with a broken nose. During the same game, Mason late tackled GB scrum-half, Sean Long.
Mason used to have a huge afro hair-style that made him look even taller.
[edit] NFL prospects
In June 2006, news speculation surfaced that Mason was considering joining the American NFL (National Football league), a childhood dream. He was said to be courted by several teams, including the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. [2] 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. [3] However, the Canterbury club has dismissed the deal, and Mason will remain with the club beyond 2006. [4]
In December 2006 Mason took part in a trial with the New York Jets, but still maintains he will fulfil his contract with the Bulldogs until the end of the 2008 season. [5] 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,..."[6]. 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. 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." [7]
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Luke Priddis (Penrith Panthers) |
Clive Churchill Medallist 2004 |
Succeeded by Scott Prince (Wests Tigers) |
