Sonny Bill Williams Warriors deal: NRL club to explore five-match, $100,000 deal
Toronto Wolfpack announced they would take no further part in the 2020 Super League season, and Sonny Bill Williams has been given the all clear to seek a short-term NRL loan deal.
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Toronto Wolfpack superstar Sonny Bill Williams could make a stunning NRL return in a five-match, $100,000 deal which would revolutionise the battered culture at the New Zealand Warriors.
And the Warriors will also target former Cronulla grand final-winning centre Ricky Leutele.
New Zealand-born Williams, Leutele and four other former NRL players are up for grabs after their club, the Canadian-based Wolfpack, withdrew from the UK Super League for 2020 due to financial and visa problems.
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Warriors officials contacted Williams’ manager, Khoder Nasser, on Tuesday about the former Bulldogs and Roosters champion signing a five-match cameo contract with the Warriors.
Warriors CEO Cameron George knows the impact Williams could have on his club.
“We understand the situation,” George said.
“We’re looking for loan players so naturally we’ll look at Sonny Bill if he becomes available.
“We would have to be mad not to look at how it could happen.”
While he may be 34 years old, his pre-COVID form with Toronto was modest and there are major logistical hurdles in getting him from the UK to Australia, the Warriors believe Williams would inject a new culture based on professionalism and dedication which would have a major effect on the club.
Rival NRL clubs claim the Sydney Roosters will also consider pursing Williams, who instilled a work ethic during the club’s 2013 premiership-winning season still evident at Bondi.
“I’m glad rival clubs have an opinion,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson responded.
Warriors management would need to clarify with NRL salary cap auditor Richard Gardham whether Williams and Leutele are deemed ‘loan players’ and therefore not included under the club’s salary cap.
While the pair would be cap free with the Warriors, the club would still need to find money for Williams, who could demand up to $20,000 a game. Few other NRL clubs would have the cap space this year to entice Williams.
Toronto management has formally granted their NRL players – including Williams, Leutele, Josh McCrone, Chase Stanley, Darcy Lussick and Bodene Thompson - permission to return home to play.
Clubs with available roster positions would need to sign the Toronto players before the NRL’s August 3 deadline.
Sources close to the club suggest Williams would take a week to return home, another fortnight in quarantine and then a further two weeks to prepare and acclimatise.
That would leave Williams – who signed a massive two-season $10 million contract with Toronto last year - to unleash over five special weeks for the Warriors.
No player can hold Super League and NRL contracts concurrently. It would mean Williams would need to terminate his Wolfpack deal and then re-register next season, should the club re-enter Super League, as is expected.
While COVID restrictions have impacted on NRL gate takings, merchandise and member interaction, signing Williams could still prove lucrative.
There were some concerns Williams hadn’t adapted to the speed and timing of Super League before shutdown but, as always, he offered an intimidating physical presence. He would be used off the bench if signed by an NRL club.
Toronto didn’t play any homes games before the competition was suspended with all matches being played in England, further damaging the club’s financial position. Wolfpack management have guaranteed all players will be paid in full.
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The Wolfpack stars have remained holed up in England during COVID with the Australian and New Zealand players now overstaying their visas which allow them to visit England for up to six months every year.
Toronto has been competing in Super League for the first time this year after securing promotion from the Championship. The Wolfpack lost all six games of the season before the competition was suspended.
A club statement read: “The COVID pandemic has presented unexpected and overwhelming financial challenges to the Wolfpack organisation.”
SBW ON MARKET AFTER WOLFPACK SHUT DOWN
By Stephen Drill in London
The race is on to sign Sonny Bill Williams after his Super League club Toronto Wolfpack granted permission for the Kiwi superstar and his teammates to negotiate short-term NRL loan deals.
Several clubs are watching the situation after the Wolfpack announced they would not be finishing the season due to financial reasons.
Williams last played in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters in 2014.
Williams’ $10 million deal with the Toronto Wolfpack may not be worth the paper it’s written on after the club pulled out of the UK Super League season.
Williams is likely to receive several calls from NRL clubs on Tuesday after the Wolfpack cancelled their season.
And the Super League was threatening to throw the newly promoted team out of the competition, as their 2020 departure puts a significant dent in its broadcast deal with Sky Sports in the UK.
Williams, whose wife Alana and four children have been living with him in Manchester, faces a significant bill to return home.
The club’s Australian owner, billionaire mining magnate David Argyle, has personally guaranteed the payroll, but there were questions about whether Williams’ contract was performance based which would be affected if he cannot play games.
Super League rejected the club’s application for a $360,000 loan last week, with the Canadian-based club cancelling its season instead.
“The club’s decision is especially disappointing given the imminent restart of the season. Our immediate focus is on getting the season back underway on August 2 and meeting the needs of our host broadcaster, Sky Sports,” the UK Super League said in a statement.
“A discussion around the longer term consequences and the future of the Wolfpack in Super League will commence shortly.”
Toronto had told the league last week that it was still able to play, but then changed tack early this morning.
Toronto said in a statement: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and in consideration of a range of factors specific to the club as the only transatlantic team in the league.
“The COVID pandemic has presented unexpected and overwhelming financial challenges to the Wolfpack organisation.
“Greatly reduced ticket, sponsorship, merchandise and game day revenue streams have resulted from the loss of all 11 of the team’s home Super League games in Toronto.”
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There was already a cloud over Williams’ UK future when it was revealed last week that his six-month visa, along with six other teammates, had expired.
The Wolfpack added: “Player and staff payroll, an issue of recent media attention, has been guaranteed by Wolfpack majority owner David Argyle and is secured by a personal guarantee to the RFL.”
Martin Vickers, the Wolfpack’s UK general manager, was removed from British Companies House paperwork this week.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk