Willie Mason
William Mason | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Marshall Mason April 15, 1980 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Other names | Big Willie |
| Occupation | Professional rugby league player (retired) |
| Years active | 1997–2010s |
| Known for | Rugby league career with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Australia and Tonga international representation |
William Marshall Mason (born 15 April 1980), commonly known as "Big Willie", is a retired professional rugby league player whose career spanned the 2000s and 2010s. Representing both Australia and Tonga internationally, as well as featuring as a forward for New South Wales in the State of Origin series, Mason competed in the National Rugby League primarily with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where he secured the 2004 Premiership and was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal. His club career also included stints with the Sydney Roosters, North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Additionally, Mason played in the Super League for English side Hull Kingston Rovers and French outfit Catalans Dragons, briefly transitioning to rugby union in France's Top 14 with RC Toulonnais. His career was marked by several notable off-field incidents that attracted widespread media scrutiny.
Early life
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Mason is of mixed heritage, with an Australian father of English ancestry and a mother of Tongan-Samoan descent. Relocating to Australia at a young age, he was raised in Toronto, New South Wales, where he played junior rugby league for the Toronto Macquarie Scorpions and later the Lakes United Seagulls.
During his late teenage years, Mason underwent a remarkable physical transformation; by age 16, he stood approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighed between 95 and 100 kg (209–220 lb). Between ages 16 and 17, his height increased naturally to around 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and his weight to about 115 kg (254 lb), which he attributed largely to genetic factors.
In his junior playing days, Mason was primarily positioned in the backline as a fullback, winger, or centre until he turned 16. Apart from rugby league, he demonstrated athletic prowess on the track, competing at state-level events in sprint distances such as the 100m and 200m, as well as in high jump competitions.
Professional rugby league career
Mason began his professional journey in 1997 by signing with the Hunter Mariners, participating in their lower-grade teams until the club's dissolution that same year.
Although native to Newcastle, Mason was unable to join the local Newcastle Knights due to their policy of not recruiting players linked to the Hunter Mariners amid the Super League conflict. At just 17 or 18 years old and coping with his father's recent passing, this situation compelled him to leave his hometown and family behind to continue his rugby league aspirations in Sydney, despite his preference to spend his entire career representing Newcastle.
Canterbury-Bankstown
In 1998, Mason committed to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, featuring in their under-18s squad within the Jersey Flegg Cup competition. The following year, he endured a leg fracture prior to the Bulldogs’ Jersey Flegg Grand Final victory.
Mason debuted in the top-tier NRL during Round 13 of the 2000 NRL season, stepping in for injured first-grader Darren Britt against the Penrith Panthers. He secured a regular position throughout that season. Later in 2000, Mason earned his first international cap for Tonga at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2002, Mason faced reporting for fare evasion involving a taxi. After that season concluded, he made his Australian national team debut against Great Britain, marking the occasion by scoring a try.
The year 2003 saw Mason debut for New South Wales in Game 3 of the 2003 State of Origin series. He also participated on Australia's tour during the 2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, contributing to Australia's triumph over Great Britain in what would be their final Ashes series. That same year, Mason tested positive for a prohibited recreational drug—reported as an amphetamine—and was fined $25,000 by his club; however, he chose not to issue any public statement regarding this matter.
In 2004, Mason and some teammates incurred fines due to unprofessional conduct after leaving their team hotel following a night out. Additionally, he was involved in forging a fellow player's signature during an autograph session and allegedly visited a brothel after heavy alcohol consumption. Despite these incidents, Canterbury-Bankstown clinched the 2004 NRL Grand Final with a narrow 16–13 victory over the Sydney Roosters, with Mason receiving the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal as Man of the Match. Reflecting on this achievement later, he described it as bittersweet since many opponents were former teammates.
During this era, trainer Gary Carden played a pivotal role in developing Bulldogs' junior talent; notably, 15 out of the 17 players who appeared in the 2004 Grand Final lineup—including Mason—had been conditioned under Carden’s demanding training regimen.
Mason was selected for Australia’s squad at the 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations, where he scored a try during their commanding 44–4 win over Great Britain in the final. Later that year, he also participated in Australia's match against the United States but suffered an ankle fracture.
He missed much of early 2005’s NRL season but returned for Canterbury’s final nine games and took part again in that year's Tri-Nations tournament.
By June 2006, rumors circulated about Mason potentially pursuing an American football career in the United States' National Football League (NFL), attracting interest from franchises such as the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and confirmed trial invitations from the New York Giants. Nevertheless, Canterbury prevented this transition, retaining him through that season. In 2006 alone, Mason played twenty club matches alongside all three State of Origin games for NSW—earning Man of the Match recognition in Game One—and featured in three Tests during Australia’s campaign at that year's Tri-Nations. The Bulldogs finished second on the ladder but were eliminated one game short of reaching the Grand Final by eventual champions Brisbane Broncos. During Tri-Nations play, Mason received a $5,000 fine and one-match suspension following an altercation with Stuart Fielden; additionally, he was reported to have used offensive language during New Zealand's haka before Game One.
In December of that year, Mason undertook a trial period with NFL side the New York Jets, though he reiterated his commitment to Canterbury through at least 2009. Jets officials described this visit as exploratory rather than formal contract discussions.
Mason represented Australia at second-row forward during their victorious 2007 ANZAC Test match against New Zealand. That year also involved off-field incidents including a nightclub confrontation with teammate Richie Williams and being voted most disliked player by fans. At Sydney Airport, Mason verbally accosted a female journalist from radio station 2GB, prompting complaints and an official apology; this episode nearly cost him sponsorship from sportswear company Champion.
Despite being chosen again for all three NSW Origin matches and Australia’s ANZAC Test squad in 2007, media reports surfaced about Mason’s dissatisfaction within Canterbury. On October 31st that year, it was reported he sought release following a dispute with club CEO Malcolm Noad. The next day revealed that Mason would be let go from his remaining two contract years amid disagreements over pursuing professional boxing opportunities and alleged fines—though Canterbury-Bankstown denied imposing any penalties. This situation sparked interest from clubs both domestically and abroad ahead of the 2008 season.
Following roster adjustments creating salary cap flexibility, Mason signed a three-year contract with the Sydney Roosters, officially announced on November 15th, 2007.
Sydney Roosters
In February 2008, Mason and fellow player Anthony Tupou faced charges for public urination while visiting Port Macquarie.
By August 2008, Mason had been selected in both the initial 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and the Tonga training squad. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the final regular season match, causing him to miss the Roosters' Finals series.
Mason was absent from the Roosters' opening game of 2009 following a substantial defeat to South Sydney Rabbitohs. He made his return in Round 2, contributing to a win over the Canberra Raiders. In May 2009, after being fined $2,000 by the Roosters for another public urination incident, Mason was relegated to the Newtown Jets. That year, the Roosters ended the season at the bottom of the ladder. Upon Brian Smith's appointment as coach, Mason was informed he was no longer included in future team plans. Subsequently, interest in Mason increased from both rugby league and union teams, including Japanese rugby union clubs, French Super League's Catalans Dragons, and the Queensland Reds. He was granted extended leave to pursue opportunities with other clubs.
Speculation arose linking Mason to the Newcastle Knights, though they denied any negotiations. The North Queensland Cowboys engaged in discussions with him in February 2010. Should those talks have fallen through, the Knights were ready to sign him after losing prop Danny Wicks.
North Queensland Cowboys
On 5 February 2010, Mason secured a one-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys. He made his debut off the interchange bench during Round 1 of the 2010 season in a 30–24 defeat against the Broncos.
Super League
In September 2011, Mason agreed to a three-year contract with Hull Kingston Rovers, contingent on visa approval. However, six months later, Hull KR released him as he was unable to obtain a Tongan passport required to free up an overseas player slot.
Newcastle Knights
On 18 April 2012, Mason signed with the Wayne Bennett-coached Newcastle Knights for the remainder of that NRL season. He debuted at Hunter Stadium in Round 8 against the Penrith Panthers. At that time, his younger brother Rodney was also part of the Knights squad. On 15 November 2012, Mason extended his stay by re-signing for an additional two years.
On 10 March 2014, Mason received a six-month driving ban and a $900 fine due to a drink-driving offense on Australia Day, which raised concerns about possible disciplinary measures from his club.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
After three seasons with Newcastle, on 28 October 2014 Mason inked a one-year deal with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles for the upcoming 2015 season. During a match against Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on 13 May 2015, Mason was involved in an incident where Newcastle player Korbin Sims made an inappropriate grab; Sims subsequently apologized and described it as a "harmless gesture."
In 2018, Mason openly criticized Manly’s facilities and management amidst internal board conflicts and coach Trent Barrett’s grievances. Reflecting on his final year at Manly in 2015, he pointed out unprofessional conditions such as players changing clothes beside their cars and sharing gym equipment with other sports teams. He characterized the club as "a very proud club but... in shambles," expressing empathy for current players enduring these challenges.
Catalans Dragons
On 16 February 2016, Mason made his return to the Super League by signing a one-year deal with Catalans Dragons, joining the club immediately.
Rugby union
Following his release from Hull KR, Mason transitioned to rugby union in April 2011 by signing with Top 14 club Toulon. The team considered him a potential replacement for former Bulldogs teammate and ex-Toulon centre Sonny Bill Williams. In June of that year, Mason was named on the interchange bench for Barbarian F.C. in their triumph over Wales.
By December, Toulon consented to release Mason, reportedly due to his dissatisfaction with rugby union. Supporters at Toulon later referred to him as a "Brad Thorn wannabe" in the club’s history.
Post playing
In 2017, Mason appeared as a celebrity contestant on the Australian edition of Hell's Kitchen broadcast on the Seven Network.
That July, Mason publicly stood up for Jarryd Hayne in response to criticism from former rugby league player Tommy Raudonikis, emphasizing Hayne’s NFL contract and merchandise sales as evidence of his success.
In June 2018, Mason publicly criticized Daly Cherry-Evans for creating discord within the Manly Sea Eagles squad, asserting that teammates were reluctant to play alongside him and that Cherry-Evans was at the heart of internal club tensions. These statements echoed similar criticisms made by former Manly player Anthony Watmough.
In 2022, Mason served as captain of the Kangaroos alumni team featured on the program Match Fit.
In September 2023, during an episode of his LEVELS podcast, Mason disparaged Newcastle Knights players, labeling the club’s spine as “the worst in the league without Kalyn Ponga.” Newcastle player Tyson Gamble responded publicly, and following the Knights’ elimination by the Warriors, Mason intensified his critique via social media platforms.
On 11 July 2024, Mason made his acting debut with a role in the Stan Australia series Sunny Nights.
Mason co-hosts the "Levels Network" podcast alongside Justin Horo, releasing unscripted episodes twice weekly that cover rugby league and wider topics.
Mindful of potential long-term brain injuries stemming from his rugby league career, Mason actively monitors his brain health through regular assessments and engages in activities aimed at enhancing neuroplasticity and cognitive development.
Playing Style
Mason has identified Gordon Tallis as his childhood idol and modelled his playing approach after Tallis. This admiration influenced his switch to the back row position and motivated him to wear jersey number 11.
Personal life
A formative event in Mason's life was burying his father at age 17, which profoundly impacted his perspective. His mother is of Tongan heritage, contributing genetically to his considerable size and physique. He is one of eight siblings—five sisters and two brothers.