Or the recruiter had tools at his disposal he wasn't even able to employ against a brick-wall "no". The recruiter didn't even have the chance to address the app

Or the recruiter had tools at his disposal he wasn't even able to employ against a brick-wall "no". The recruiter didn't even have the chance to address the applicant's concerns, which is a bummer. Maybe they liked the applicant so much the recruiter got told "do whatever it takes" and he didn't even get a chance?