NRL approves Sonny Bill contract

Updated December 21, 2012 20:40:46

The wait is finally over for Sonny Bill Williams, with the ARLC informing the Sydney Roosters that the code-hopping superstar's 2013 playing contract has been registered.

After signing a one-year deal with the Roosters on November 13, it has been a drawn-out process for salary cap auditor Ian Schubert to approve the deal.

The dual-international is pursuing a boxing career on the side and has a fight against South African Francois Botha scheduled in February.

Williams represented the All Blacks this year before enjoying a stint in Japanese rugby, and there is every chance he will switch back to the 15-a-side code after his commitments with the Roosters are finished in 2013.

At his welcoming press conference with the Roosters back in November, Williams seemed nonplussed about returning to league, making it clear he was only doing so to honour a handshake promise to the club's chairman Nick Politis.

There were some concerns Williams would walk out on his Roosters deal if the NRL did not register the contract quickly.

Interim chief executive Shane Mattiske said signing off on the deal was a complex procedure.

"By the nature of Sonny Bill's other sporting commitments there have clearly been some unusual circumstances around the contract including his direct negotiation of the contract through a legal representative," Mattiske said.

"It has been the salary cap auditor's absolute responsibility to review all aspects of the payments in the contract and the negotiations leading up to the contract.

"Ian Schubert has done exactly what he is required to do throughout this process and his task has been made more challenging by deficiencies in the Roosters' documentation of the negotiations, which did not fully comply with the NRL's player contract and remuneration rules."

Mattiske said the Roosters can expect a fine in the new year for failing to put all their cards on the table.

The Roosters failed to follow regulations in recording and supplying information to the ARLC, Mattiske said.

Schubert had to seek advice from a solicitor in rubber-stamping the deal and Mattiske said the ARLC would also keep a close eye on Williams commercial agreements.

"There are a number of assurances on the part of the club and in relation to Sonny Bill's commercial agreements that are being relied upon in this process and that will be monitored," he said.

"Given the unusual features of this contract it was necessary for Ian to engage a solicitor to assist with the investigation which included interviews of a number of persons and a consideration of various documents.

"Ultimately, a report of the investigation was furnished to the Commission along with advice from Senior Counsel.

"The Commission has also determined that the club should face a sanction ... the amount of this breach will be assessed following a recommendation in the new year."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, bondi-junction-2022, nsw, australia

First posted December 21, 2012 20:38:34

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League return a 'tough' decision for Sonny Bill

Updated November 13, 2012 17:45:00

Sonny Bill Williams has admitted that his return to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters was a 'pretty tough' decision to make.

On Tuesday Williams announced his new one-year contract with the Roosters, which marks his return to the sport after four years' absence.

The contract also represents Williams' commitment to a handshake deal he made with Roosters chairman Nick Politis three years ago.

Since 2008 the former Canterbury Bulldogs player has played rugby union in France and New Zealand - including 19 caps for the All Blacks.

However he announced earlier this year he would move to Japan for a lucrative short-term stint with rugby union side the Panasonic Wild Knights before moving to an un-named NRL club in 2013.

Williams confirmed on Tuesday that the Rooster would be that team, but said he has grown to love rugby union and admitted it was difficult to leave the code when honouring his deal with Politis.

"When I did the deal, a lot of great things happened to me in that space, especially going back to New Zealand, winning the Super Rugby with the Chiefs, the World Cup with the All Blacks, a lot of great things have
happened," he said.

"If I'm honest with myself I must admit it was pretty tough to honour what me and Nick agreed about.

"It's going to be a massive challenge. I've met the boys, they're a great bunch of blokes, real young but real enthusiastic and welcoming too.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there in the game I grew up playing."

The controversial 27-year-old's stint with the Wild Knights hit a snag when he sustained a pectoral injury during a game in late October which required chest surgery.

The surgery was successful, but it could keep Williams out of action for two to four months.

"I've signed a one-year-deal with the Roosters. I've been out of the game for a long time but it's terrific to be back," Williams said.

"I'd like to thank (Roosters chairman) Nick Politis who approached me three years ago with the deal. At the moment I'm still a rugby player, they've given me permission due to the [pectoral] injury."

Despite the deal only lasting one year, Williams expects it to be renewed, all things going well.

"For me, the last four years I've just signed one-year deals," he said.

"I consider myself a boxer as well, now. I think the two for me go hand in hand. It brings the best out of me.

"The pressure is on me as much as it is on the club. I've been out of the game for five years, so it's a big challenge. All I can do is stay humble, work hard and try my best."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he has watched Williams play in Japan and, after a number of meetings in getting the deal done, is convinced the player is serious about his NRL return.

"I was pretty clear after [meeting Williams in Japan] that he was serious about a return but also that process of becoming a professional athlete both in boxing and rugby league," he said.

The decision means Williams will again play in 2013 the sport where he made his name.

In 2004 he made his first-grade debut for the Bulldogs at 18, and he made his international debut the same year when selected for New Zealand in the Anzac Day Test match against Australia.

He played in a Premiership side in his first season as the Bulldogs defeated the Roosters 16-13 in the Grand Final.

In 2007 he re-signed with the Bulldogs for five years, but he caused a storm of controversy when he walked out on that contract just 18 months later, switching codes to play rugby union for French Top 14 side Toulon.

He played in France for three years before opting to take a sizeable pay cut to play Super Rugby in New Zealand for the Crusaders - and later for the Chiefs - citing a desire to play for the All Blacks.

The move paid off, with Williams playing in 19 Tests for New Zealand, including a number of appearances in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup triumph in 2011.

He continued to play in internationals in 2012, making a big impact in New Zealand's home series against Ireland, and scoring against the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney in August.

His contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union expired after he was part of the Chiefs' first Super Rugby title win.

A hard-running, hard-hitting centre or second-rower, Williams will provide attacking options for the Roosters and new coach Robinson.

Williams has also made headlines with a heavyweight boxing career.

He was due to fight South African boxer Francois Botha in Brisbane on November 24, but that bout was put in doubt after succumbing to his pectoral injury.

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, new-zealand

First posted November 13, 2012 12:06:26

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Canavan welcoming but coy on Sonny Bill

Updated October 16, 2012 16:41:38

New Sydney Roosters boss Brian Canavan says Sonny Bill Williams would be a welcome addition to the NRL, but claims he does not know if the dual international will be at his club next season.

Williams told Fairfax newspapers at the weekend his move to the Roosters in 2012 was a "done deal", but Canavan says he knows nothing.

"Because I haven't stepped into the finances, salary cap or player list world at this stage," Canavan told a media scrum in Sydney on Tuesday.

"Today's my first meeting with the staff list."

But asked if Williams was someone he was interested in having at the Roosters, Canavan said: "The game's personally interested in him. He's a wonderful player and rugby league would love to have him back."

Canavan, who returns to the Roosters after quitting the club in 2008 following 15 years' previous service, said any baggage Williams might bring would be "pretty good baggage".

"You're referring to the five years ago baggage - we're all different after five years," he said.

"None of us were inside the Canterbury club at that time so I don't know what transpired there."

Williams the part-time boxer is focusing on his fight next month with South African heavyweight Francois Botha, but the World Cup-winning All Black said his move to the tricolours was inevitable after making a handshake agreement with Roosters chairman Nick Politis.

"It's a done deal. I made it a long time ago," the 27-year-old told The Sun Herald.

"I know where I'm playing next year and I'm ready to meet the challenge head-on."

Canavan was also coy about the prospect of Williams' stablemate, disenchanted Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper, running out for the Roosters next season.

"His name hasn't been mentioned but the player list hasn't really been in my discussions," he said.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, bondi-junction-2022, nsw, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 16:41:38

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