To say that the Toronto Wolfpack have made shock waves around the rugby league world lately is one of the biggest understatements in the recent memory of the sport.
It’s been widely reported that the cross-code star has signed a two-year deal to return to league with the newly promoted Wolfpack in the UK’s Super League. The Wolfpack themselves have remained quiet on it. Williams was also reportedly offered a minority ownership stake in the club.
Sonny Bill Williams is a name that transcends the traditional boundaries of rugby in both codes. SBW is a name that people recognise around the world. He was recently featured on HBO’s Real Sports and was profiled by Bryant Gumbel. He’s a multi-sport athlete.
At 34, Williams is an older player but this is a name that makes people truly see that Wolfpack owner David Argyle and the club are going to do what they can to make the Wolfpack a truly global entity and bring the game into the 21st Century.
Rugby league has the potential to be so much bigger than it is, and with the Wolfpack leading the way in signing big-name players, this is a sport that may soon enter the mainstream of Canadian sporting circles.
Williams’ recruitment has been likened to when David Beckham went over to Major League Soccer to play for the LA Galaxy in 2007. The Beckham move revived the presence of soccer in North America and with the New Zealander in Canada, you’ll see one of the most recognisable faces in the game help further shape the passion for league in a country with a growing desire to see more of it.
Williams can give kids in Toronto, Markham, Brampton and other parts of Ontario someone to look up to and try to be like as players in their backyard.
(AAP Image/Dean Pemberton)
Toronto is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and one of the biggest media hubs in North America. When 2020 rolls around, you will see SBW all over the city. This is someone who you take to schools, city hall, NBA, MLB, and NHL games.
He’ll become one of the biggest athletes in the city. At times, it can seem like all you see on Canadian sports TV is hockey if you’re an outsider, but when Sonny Bill Williams is making the papers on this side of the globe and is on our sportscasts, you know he’s something special.
On Twitter and other social media platforms, fans from around the world are planning Super League trips to see the Wolfpack play either at Lamport Stadium or abroad. Williams in Toronto is moving the needle for many fans of the game. He answers the question that many skeptics ask: “what does the Wolfpack bring to rugby league?”
Wolfpack management apparently are not done yet as they also have their eyes on union pair Christian Wade and Manu Tuilagi.
The interest is also showing that in Toronto they don’t just want to be a team that hangs around mid-table of Super League.
The Wolfpack are coming to the highest level of rugby league in the UK looking to win. A new era of this sport is on the horizon and it’s being lead from a place that 20 years ago probably wouldn’t have been possible.
Rugby league’s landscape is leaving the heartlands and going global – a move that should be welcomed by all for the future of the game.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Max Power. Most of the 2020 Wolfpack games in Toronto already sold out.English based ESL clubs are the ones to really benefit, so both the ESL/Toronto both benefit in the long haul.Which is what was expected. So if that's nonsense, good nonsense.
Yoda
Guest
He’s been on the sidelines injured for two years
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Just another example of international codes offering players like SBW career options across the globe. He will be great for the growth of league in Canada and its continuing growth internationally. Great news!
bbt
Guest
He has 800K followers on Twitter and about the same on Instagram. That is the value. Marketing today depends on that type of metrics. With streaming looking to take over from FTA TV, an international, or worldwide presence is essential. SBW has one. You want to launch a Club today, that is how you do it.
Pete
Guest
Unless there is Canadian born players available in future league world cups can't see them being of any threat to the couple of major league playing nation unless they import aussie english or NZ and Pacific islander nations players as Canadian citizens it wont happen.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Good luck to SBW, he's been a servant to both rugby codes. His professionalism will elevate his team mates and his performance will hopefully raise the profile of the Wolfpack. It'll be good for rugby league, hopefully this means Canada will be a more competitive squad at RL World Cups.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
For years now, the code in the UK has struggled to gain any real attention from outside its heartlands. Provincial fears seem to dominate and despite some interesting attempts at innovation, there is always the feeling of playing catch up with modernity. Well, since their inception in 2017, the Toronto Wolfpack have shown a genuine talent for attracting attention. Clubs - and the league - ought to take note. The Wolfpack are a very clear lesson that engagement with the modern world is not only possible but necessary.
Jockstar
Guest
You could buy a decent team for that.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Hard to see any return on that sort of money. Some media and some interest doesn't add up to much, especially when he is sitting on the sidelines.
Avry Lewis-McDougall
Roar Rookie
People traveled overseas to see the Wolfpack before SBW. What makes you think they wouldn't come? Sounds like you've never been to Lamport for a game :)
Avry Lewis-McDougall
Roar Rookie
I think that will happen eventually! It may take a couple more seasons but I could see it happen. There's also a side in Ottawa coming in 2021 in the RFL, that one is putting Canadians into league a major priority at the professional level from the jump.
max power
Guest
He’ll become one of the biggest athletes in the city- except that he wont and reports of people travelling to see him are all hype and nonsense
AGO74
Guest
He's only 34 and in supreme shape. Sports science these days means age is less of a factor. He also hasn't had anywhere near the physicality during his time in rugby that he would have had if he stayed in league given the position he plays. He will carve it up in Super League. It's great for that competition too. If any super league fan objects to this they are the very definition of a luddite.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
At his age, who wouldn't grab a contract like this. If the reports are true, good luck & all the best to him.
AGO74
Guest
SBW is great and good on them for having a crack. He will carve up super league. I think what would also help the Wolfpack is if they could identify 1 or 2 Canadian union players with the ability to convert and help give a genuine Canadian dynamic to this team.
Onside
Guest
Unwell sportspeople who change brands of medicinal cannabis are called grasshoppers .
Nat
Roar Guru
I hope it works. Maybe they should have a crack at Hayne as well (provided he's not playing prison bowl). Get some big names making them highly competitive and establish the brand in Canada. This can only be a good thing for the game.