Sonny Bill Williams is reportedly considering a massive deal from Toronto Wolfpack to return to rugby league when his Rugby World Cup commitments are over.
Ambitious English Super League newcomers Toronto Wolfpack have reportedly made a $9 million play to lure Sonny Bill Williams back to the 13-a-side game.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the 34-year-old superstar is weighing up a two-year deal.
Williams is contracted to New Zealand rugby until the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup in Japan – with the All Blacks preparing to face Wales on Friday in the third-place playoff.
He came off the bench in the All Blacks’ semi-final defeat to England on Saturday.
It is believed that a host of rugby clubs have already made a play for Williams while back-to-back NRL premiers Sydney Roosters appear to be priced out of the race for the services of their former back-rower.
The Wolfpack were established in 2016 and will be the first North American team to compete in Super league after they won promotion to the top-tier via the Million Pound Game on October 5.
They are funded by Australian mining and resources billionaire David Argyle, who has previously revealed his interest in snaring Williams as their marquee signing.
Toronto coach Brian McDermott told the PA news agency earlier this month that they wanted to bring in a David Beckham-type player to raise their profile, much like the former soccer icon did for Los Angeles Galaxy and the MLS, and that Williams fits the bill.
“Our club would want to have a name that’s absolutely international that everybody would recognise and help the profile of our game, very much like David Beckham did for Major League Soccer,” McDermott said.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Not even in the top 1000. 99% of the worlds population would have no idea who he is.
Randy
Roar Rookie
SBW was ranked in the top 50 most marketable athletes in the world not that long ago, don't think you know what you are talking about.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Odd thing to say because they did import players. And had their been an abundance of people attending and watching their games on TV when they were in Super Rugby they would never have had issues.
In brief
Guest
Unless you are the western force ????
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
This'd be a great coup for the Wolfpack. $4.5 million per year is insane though. They could offer him significantly less ($2.5-3 million per year) and he'd still be the highest paid rugby league player in the world. A lot of people on here saying he's washed up and 34. But I have no doubt he could still cut it in the NRL - maybe not be what he used to be, but still good. He'll win Man of Steele though in the Super League.
Jacko
Guest
Haha more doggy doo doo from the sandbox
Jacko
Guest
They are jealous gatesy
Jacko
Guest
I guess based on your theory that he won them 2 world cups and 9 bledisloe cups....I think there was others on the field in the wins and the losses tho......i guess he won the roosters a NRL premiership too
Warren
Guest
Fred, Well remember it was all Sam Burgess's fault that England had a poor World Cup in 2015.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Why is everyone slamming him? I say good onya mate, take the money and run, laughing all the way to the bank, and enjoy the footy!! They say money isn’t everything, but I reckon it’s a long way ahead of whatever is coming second!
Fred
Guest
The Melbourne Storm playing roster is hardly full of Victorians. But most would now agree the Melbourne Storm has been a great, successful addition to the NRL. Why can't Toronto emulate the Storm? As for long haul flights, Super Rugby traverses several continents
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think Grey-hand is referring to your SBW has no pride comment.
Fred
Guest
You're not arguing their loss is due to SBW are you? When he came on he was one of their few attacking hopes. His offloads are very dangerous.
Malo
Guest
He lost them a lions series and a World Cup but is worth $9million. Some people believe the bs of SBW.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Not even close, embarrassing your incorrect alias spelling Field not Feild.So many does confuse. And they get 7,500 paying to watch them, as well as local press coverage.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Who says he doesn’t want to win an ESL premiership? He’s got nothing left to prove in Rugby Union or the NRL.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I don't undersrand the people having a whinge? Its not your money, nor I'd wager is it your club who is paying it. And by all accounts most feel he's over the hill anyway so who cares if he's off to Canada? Good luck to him. Its a bit like winning lotto!
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
spelling of your alias wrong lol
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You can always import players. There's always more players available than contracts.
Craig Feild
Guest
Northern English and a couple Aussies do