Toronto Wolfpack chasing Buffalo Bills running back and former rugby star Christian Wade

Toronto Wolfpack are confident they’ll land Sonny Bill Williams and now the Canadians have their eye on another cross code star who’s currently trying to crack the NFL.

****EXCLUSIVE NEWS 360 LOCKED CONTENT - AUS OUT, NEWS.COM.AU OUT***** English Premiership Rugby Player, Christian Wade (L), shakes hands with Valentine Holmes, 23, during training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Thursday, January 31st, 2019. (Angus Mordant for NewsCorp Australia)

• CASH: Manly pay up to keep Turbo brothers

• STAYING: Cronk won’t be lost to Roosters

They are confident they will land Sonny Bill Williams now the ambitious Toronto Wolfpack have set their target on another cross code player – this time one from the NFL.

Wolfpack officials are secretly confident they will secure mega-code superstar Williams on a two year deal to help the club during its promotion into the Super League. Williams is a genuine attraction even in North America.

Stream the 2019 Oceania Cup Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Wade has spent the past NFL season with the Bills. Picture by Angus Mordant for NewsCorp Australia.

But he isn’t the only big-name the club is hoping to sign. They have set their attention to enticing Buffalo Bills running back Chritstian Wade to the 13-per-side game.

Wade was a Rugby Sevens star for England before trying his hand in the NFL this year – following the same international path as ex-Sharks player Valentine Holmes. Like Holmes though, Wade did not make the Bills’ final 53-man roster and is instead in the practice squad. He made headlines after scoring a 65-yard touchdown for the Bills on his very first carry in the pre-season.

From Twickenham to the NFL, former England rugby union star Christian Wade appears to be settling in nicely at the @BuffaloBills. pic.twitter.com/3LU0VhZC8c

— Simon Head (@simonhead) August 17, 2019

Wade is undecided if he will continue to pursue his NFL dreams or chase another. Enter the Wolfpack who see value in not only his on-field ability but are attracted to his potential to generate more noise for the club.

LEVI TAKES A SHOT AT BROWN

Danny Levi has taken a thinly veiled swipe at former coach Nathan Brown saying if he is given a “fair opportunity” he can show what he can offer.

There is no secret Levi and Brown had a strained relationship by the time Brown’s stint at Newcastle came to an end. Despite having a year left on his contract, Levi has been shopped for the bulk of this year with the Knights signing Cronulla’s Jayden Brailey to be their long-term hooker.

Levi has had discussions with clubs but is yet to land anywhere. At this stage he will be reporting for pre-season duty with Newcastle once his commitments with Samoa end on Sunday.

Levi has taken a veiled swiper at Brown. Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images.

“If I’m given a fair opportunity I can show what I can do,” Levi said. “I felt like I wasn’t always given the best opportunity at some stages but I can’t control it.

“There were a lot of different factors. Some things I never agreed with but it was out of my control.

“I’m not too sure what’s going on at the moment. During the off-season I try not to think about it too much. I try and get away from it all. At the moment I’m focusing on playing for Samoa.”

SHOOSH

Which contracted representative league player is eyeing an early release to return to play in Sydney?

MURRAY’S METEORIC RISE TO GLORY

Cameron Murray’s whirlwind season will be capped off with his Test debut tomorrow night. At the start of the year he just wanted to start consistently in the NRL having spent his final 13 games last year playing off the interchange bench. Now he will finish 2019 with a NSW series win and a Kangaroos jersey.

Murray will make his Test debut against Tonga. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images.

“There has been a lot going on,” Murray said. “I haven’t sat down for everything to sink in. This year has been such a great year. It’s been long and hectic. The time will come after this game and when I’m a couple of weeks into my off-season I’ll look at all the jerseys’ I’ve worn and represented. The awards I’ve won and the milestones and achievements I’ve reached. I’m trying to keep a lid on things and not let the hype get to my head. I want to run out my routine as if it’s a normal NRL game.”

Murray’s parents, his sister and his partner arrive in New Zealand later on Friday.

JAMES GORDON STEALS THE SHOW

He may be the captain of Great Britain but James Graham was not known to an onstage emcee at a fan day in Auckland this week. The onstage presenter introduced him as James Gordon and continued to call him Gordon throughout an interview – much to the delight of Graham’s teammates.

MAC SPORTS RADIO’S ABRUPT EXIT

The closure of Macquarie Sports Radio’s talk shows was so swift that a stack of commitments had been made recently including having basketball superstar Andrew Bogut part of the line-up. Outdoor broadcasts from Melbourne next week had also been locked in. The station will air its last show at 11pm. It is unclear what will be played in between its English Premier League and summer of cricket commitments.

BOND BETWEEN THE FOX AND TRELL

There was a special moment between Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell in the lead-up to Addo-Carr’s Test debut last week. As is Kangaroos tradition, players are presented with a booklet prior to their first Test match with Mitchell giving Addo-Carr’s his memento.

“It’s crazy man,” Addo-Carr said. “We’ve come a long way I remember playing against him in the under-20s. It’s funny how rugby league brings people together. It was emotional. We always stand next to each other when the anthem is on and hold our heads up high to represent Australia as best we can.”

Originally published as Toronto Wolfpack chasing Buffalo Bills running back and former rugby star Christian Wade