Phelps is 'full' quota. If McKinnon really does have Scottish ancestry then he could get a British passport and go Non-Fed, thus replacing Lauaki.

Non fed / Quota irrelevant. You are allowed 5 in total now.

I doubt that, clubs already have more than 5 signed for next season.

Nope. Two lists, remember?

Neither can I. I was talking about equivalent quota status not who would stay or go. In quota terms McKinnon=Lauaki.

Isn't Lauaki on a Tongan passport?

Yes but he's non-fed trained... kind of trades off against obst who's on an aussie passport but federation trained

I wouldn't trust those

Exactly so he's not on both lists which McKinnon could be.

Yup. But if you look a few posts back when this started it was based on the possibility of McKinnon getting a British passport based on his Scottish ancestry. So it's a hypothetical argument about a player we haven't even signed yet.

indeed, but allowed a max of 5 on each, including those that are exempt for whatever reason. Hence the Willie Mason mess.

By your logic, we could sign another quota player for this season. You are only allowed 5 in total, so soon, fed and quota will be irrelevant (once all the pre 2008 players have gone)

I could be completely wrong like, but this is how I see things!

As long as there are players who only take up one slot on either list the two lists will be relevant and 5 will not be the maximum total in practise. I agree that over the next few years it will become the the case and the difference between quota and non-fed will become irrelevant, but right now you can still fit more than 5 overseas players into your squad.