Mason departs after Robins lose patience

The 31-year-old Australia international was de-registered by the Super League club a month ago after he was unable to obtain a Tongan passport that would have enabled him to come off their overseas quota.

Mason, who signed a two-year deal with an additional 12-month option, has made just six appearances for Rovers, who have decided to cut their losses after losing patience with the wayward star.

A brief statement placed on the club’s website said: “Willie Mason has left Hull Kingston Rovers with immediate effect.

“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Mason, a colourful and controversial character throughout his career, has been in dispute with Hull KR since it was revealed he travelled to France to meet officials of Toulon Rugby Union club last month.

That trip was made after making just five appearances in Super League and without his employers’ knowledge or permission.

Rovers are also investigating claims Mason may have met Toulon officials even before he arrived in the UK to link up with his new club.

Rovers recently stopped Mason’s pay, citing a breach of contract by discussing a potential move, and the player has not been seen at Craven Park since handing in a transfer request.

Having being de-registered by the club last month to make way for the re-signing of Australian scrum-half Michael Dobson, he had been training alone in the club gym.

The forward arrived at the club in March amid a blaze of publicity and made an immediate impact with a man-of-the-match display in Rovers’ 40-22 win over Crusaders but his form quickly deserted him.

Big-spending Toulon are thought to have offered Mason a deal which would see him almost quadruple his wages, to around £395,000 a year.

Rovers hope to recover the majority of the wages they have paid to the player so far, possibly through compensation from Toulon should he sign for them.

Throughout his career, Mason has been associated with a series of controversial on and off-field incidents. Here is a run-down of a few of them.

In 2003, he tested positive to an illicit social drug, reported to be an amphetamine, and was fined 25,000 Australian dollars by his club.

In 2004, along with Trent Waterhouse, Craig Wing, Craig Gower and Mark O’Meley, he was fined for unprofessional behaviour and for leaving the Australian team hotel after the side had returned from a night out.

Banned for one match after knocking out Great Britain forward Stuart Fielden during a Tri-Nations match in Sydney in 2006.

Admitted verbally challenging a female reporter from radio station 2GB at Sydney Airport in 2007, resulting in a complaint from 2GB to the Bulldogs club and the Australian Rugby League. Mason later apologised.

Was voted the most hated player in a fans’ poll in 2007.

In February, 2008, he and his new Roosters team-mate Anthony Tupou were charged with urinating in a public place during a visit to Port Macquarie.

In May, 2009, Mason was fined 2000 Australian dollars by Sydney Roosters after being photographed urinating in a public place.

In April, 2010 he visited France on a day off from Hull KR training to meet the president of rugby union side Toulon without Hull KR’s permission.