Mason relishing test at the old school of hard knocks

The 30-year-old front row, who has signed a two-year contract with an extra 12-month option, is best known to English rugby league fans for knocking out Great Britain forward Stuart Fielden with a single punch during the 2006 Tri Nations Series in Sydney.

Mason, who also tangled with Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock during that series, says he is ready for a rematch with Fielden – Hull KR’s first meeting with Wigan is on April 15 – and hinted that there is no love lost between the pair.

“I can’t wait,” he told a packed press conference at Craven Park.

“I’ve a lot of respect for Jamie Peacock. He’s a very good player, he’s been a good player for years.

“With Stuart Fielden, that will stay on the field, we’ll see what happens. We’ll wait for it. It should be a good game.”

Mason, who was voted the most hated player in the NRL in 2007, insisted he had options to stay in Australia but chose to finish his career in England, where he believes his style of play will be appreciated.

“When I came into the game, the NRL was very aggressive and it was very intimidating as a young guy coming up,” he said.

“But, as the years have progressed, it’s become more athletic and there are not that many big hits.

“I just think the English Super League is a bit more old school, it’s more in your face, you get hit hard and you can hit hard so it will suit my game.

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come over. I don’t think the English Super League is far off the NRL at all, it’s a different spectrum.”

Mason added: “I’ve always wanted to test myself in the English Super League. I’ve watched it since I was a young bloke.

“I’ve watched the Challenge Cup and the Grand Finals and I’ve toured over here three or four times and I love the crowds and the passion that people have about their sport.

“I want to be involved in that. The only time we get that is when we play State of Origin.

“I think I could play another five years in the NRL and I had that choice to stay there but I don’t want to play in the NRL any more. I’ve done that for 12 years and I need another test.”

Rovers, who were forced to wait six months for Mason to untangle the red tape that threatened his big move, are set to cash in on the big man’s arrival.

Around 100 fans paid to watch the press conference in an adjoining room at the stadium, with more expected to buy tickets for Saturday’s training session, and the club are hoping for a capacity 10,000 crowd when Mason makes his debut, mostly likely off the bench, against Crusaders on Sunday.

The corresponding fixture last season drew a second-lowest attendance of the season of 7,273.

“The likelihood is that he will play,” said Rovers coach Justin Morgan. “I know he is very willing and able. We’ll see how the week goes but he is extremely determined to play this weekend, I want him to play and his team-mates want him to play.

“I’m just delighted that he’s here. He’s a larger-than-life character but, more importantly, he’s a world-class rugby league player. I can’t wait to see him out on the pitch.”

It is six months since Mason’s last match but he is confident he can go straight into the Rovers team.

“It got a little bit frustrating because I wasn’t training with the team and out there today was the first time I passed a ball to another bloke for four months,” he said.

“I’ve been doing a lot of training, I’ve personal trainers back in Sydney and I’ve been doing a different sort of training.

“It’s been a bit of a blessing because I’ve got a bit of speed back and I feel refreshed. I feel better than ever, on top of the world.”

One of his rivals, England captain Peacock believes the Rugby Football League need to widen the appeal of the international game if they are to prevent more players following Kyle Eastmond into rugby union.

Peacock, who is attending a two-day training camp with the RFL’s elite training squad at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, admits he can see the appeal of the 15-man code after watching former Wigan winger Chris Ashton become a star in the Six Nations.

“I think it’s always going to happen with the way things are at the moment,” said the Leeds prop. “Exposure of England rugby union is a lot bigger and I can see why players would want to do that.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to the RFU for the way they’ve marketed the Six Nations over the last 10 years. I look at that and I think it must be good to be part of it.”

Leeds prop Ben Cross will miss the Rhinos’ home game against Salford on Friday after being handed a one-match ban for a late and high tackle on Warrington scrum-half Richard Myler. The 32-year-old was also fined £300.

Harlequins centre David Howell will sit out his side’s trip to St Helens on Friday after being handed a one-match ban and a £300 fine for a dangerous tackle on Huddersfield centre Leroy Cudjoe.