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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Thurston non-committal over Cowboys contract

Updated October 11, 2012 12:23:31

Johnathan Thurston has refused to give any assurances he will remain a North Queensland player beyond next season, with the champion playmaker poised to potentially become the game's highest-paid player.

A week after his Australia and Queensland team-mate Greg Inglis signed a new deal with South Sydney to become the NRL's first million dollar-a-season man, Thurston said he is yet to decide where his future lies.

The 29-year-old two-time Dally M Medallist is the biggest name off-contract at the end of the 2013 campaign, and with the new broadcast deal pumping $1 billion into the game, Thurston is in a strong position to name his price to potential suitors.

The Cowboys have no fewer than 20 players who have deals that expire at the end of next year, including representative props Matt Scott and James Tamou while Matt Bowen, Brent Tate, Dallas Johnson and prolific winger Ashley Graham will also be off contract.

This could significantly hamper their attempts to keep the former Canterbury playmaker, who joined the club in 2005, but Thurston, who will play for Australia against New Zealand on Saturday in Townsville, says he is more interested in taking a holiday than sitting down with the Cowboys' powerbrokers at the moment.

"It's still a long way away, my attention is all on this weekend," Thurston said.

"I like to deal with it differently to others. I have a holiday planned and I don't want to worry about it before then.

"I just want to relax, enjoy my holiday. I won't have time to sort it out before I go away. When I get back that's when I'll sit down and work out with my manager and we'll work out then what is best for my future."

The Kangaroos half-back has warned New Zealand could punish Australia if the hosts do not maintain their focus during this weekend's trans-Tasman Test in Townsville.

Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall will lead a potent New Zealand attack that includes Kieran Foran, Krisnan Inu, Isaac Luke and Frank Pritchard.

Thurston says the Kiwis will be keen to make amends for their eight-point loss to the Kangaroos in their last clash in April.

"They've got a point to prove. Their one-off tests haven't been great," he said.

"Certainly they've got a lot to play for and if we're not in the right frame of mind they're going to put 50 on us. They've got strikepower all over the park."

Saturday's international will see just one referee take control of the game but Thurston, who was seething at the officials following North Queensland's controversial finals loss to Manly last month, is happy for the NRL to stick with two whistleblowers.

However, he said more assistance is needed from the touch judges and less reliance on video referees.

"Having the two refs is a good option, but there are little issues in the game with the video ref and the benefit of the doubt," he said.

"That's what's playing on everybody's minds. Having two refs is great.

"But what are our touch judges doing? They have to have more influence than just putting their flags up.

"They need to be helping the refs. They wear mikes, why can't they tell the refs when a player is offside?

"At the moment it is like they are a fan just watching the game."

All of Tim Sheens' squad trained in searing heat on Wednesday morning, with the mercury nudging 33 degrees.

Ben Te'o, who is the 18th man, was fully involved, as was Tony Williams, who pulled up with a tight hamstring on Tuesday, but is expected to play on Saturday.

Thurston says he is looking forward to representing his country in front of his 'hometown' fans and says it will be a memorable night for the Cowboys players and their team-mates who grew up in North Queensland.

"I'm very excited. I've got family here for the game. Its always a pleasure to run in front of the North Queensland fans and this will be no different," he said.

"I'm wearing the green and gold jersey so I'm very proud of that."

Full-back Billy Slater also took part without a knee support for the first time this week.

"The knee is fine and I am very happy with where it is," Slater said.

ABC/AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 08:54:36

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Cooper extends contract with Reds

Published:Thursday, May 19, 2011 7:21 AESTExpires:Wednesday, August 17, 2011 7:21 AEST

Quade Cooper has signed a one-year contract with the Queensland Reds despite the Super Rugby star being targeted by the Parramatta Eels of the NRL.

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Tags: nrl, rugby-union, qld

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Murray released from Eels contract

Posted May 19, 2011 19:29:00

Months after it emerged young half-back Brad Murray had been embroiled in the NRL betting scandal, Parramatta decided on Thursday to release the troubled player from his contract.

Murray had been under significant pressure since being identified in November as one of several people to have placed a bet on a North Queensland penalty goal as the first scoring play in a game against Canterbury in 2010.

The suspicion surrounding the betting plunge on the unusual option put Murray under heavy scrutiny, however NSW Crime Commission detectives investigating the matter interviewed the 21-year-old and decided he had no case to answer.

Earlier in the week, it was reported Murray was stood down from all playing and training duties at the Eels and, on Thursday morning, it was decided the club would part company with the half-back who was apparently struggling to cope with the pressures of his current situation.

Murray looks set to become a key witness in the defence of his agent Sam Ayoub, charged with attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception, relating to the same betting plunge.

Ayoub and former player John Elias have pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

Murray used to live with Ayoub and, in the player manager's court appearance on April 7, his lawyer Danny Eid summonsed Murray to appear.

Despite being issued with a subpoena, Murray did not attend.

"I want to thank the Parramatta Eels for everything they've done for me," said Murray on Thursday.

"I need some time away from the game to focus on other interests and they've been very understanding of that.

"Hopefully, I'll be in a position to return to the game in the near future."

Eels chief executive Paul Osborne said Murray left with the club's best wishes.

"Obviously it's been a difficult time for Brad and we wish him all the best in the future. We hope to see him playing again soon."

In a day of action for the Eels off the field, the club announced Joel Reddy would miss at least 12 weeks of football after undergoing surgery on his injured pectoral muscle.

Gold Coast centre Esi Tonga was also confirmed as the club's third new signing behind Chris Sandow and Ben Roberts for 2012.

Tonga, squeezed out of the Titans following their signing of Jamal Idris, joins the Eels on a two-year deal.

Off-contract star Reddy was originally expected to miss the rest of the season, however he held hope he would be back on the field within three months.

The 25-year-old says he wants to stay at Parramatta, but Canterbury are reportedly one of several other options for the tenacious centre.

Reddy said he was shattered to be unable to showcase his best football with his contract on the line, and did not know whether Tonga's signature would impact on his chances of being re-signed by the Eels.

"It's not the best thing, probably not the best timing either. But it's not quite the season, it's only a 12-week injury, so it gives me something to push for I suppose," he said.

"It's definitely (tough) but it's in my manager's hands what I'm doing next year so I'll just leave it up to him for now and concentrate on getting the right recovery for my pec."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, parramatta-2150

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Snowden says contract still not done

Posted April 18, 2011 05:33:00

Kade Snowden says he is no closer to making a decision on his NRL future, but the Cronulla prop turned in a massive performance against prospective buyers Newcastle on Sunday.

Speculation for months now has been that Newcastle will be his home next year, and Snowden gave the home faithful a whopping 70 minutes worth of quality to salivate over, as the bidding process continues.

Newcastle junior Snowden was set to re-sign with the Sharks in February, before new Knights owner Nathan Tinkler weighed in.

Speaking after the Sharks' 24-20 loss to Newcastle, Snowden admitted the chance to play under supercoach Wayne Bennett is attractive but there's no time frame on his decision.

"He's the world's best coach, everyone wants to play under him ... but that's (only) if I come here," he said.

"I'm just leaving it in the hands of (my manager) ... just waiting to see.

"I'm just going to roll with it and just make the decision when it happens."

Regardless of which club secures the 24 year-old's services for next year, Snowden is firming by the day for State of Origin selection.

Against the Knights he churned through 122 metres, made 23 tackles, a tackle break, line break and offload. Seventy minutes of game time for a prop is nearly unheard of as well.

Snowden said he would love to add to his NSW debut last year, but he is trying to concentrate on club football.

"Of course (I'd love to). But I just want to play for the Sharks now and worry about that when it comes," he said.

"At that (preseason Origin camp) was the last time we (NSW coach Ricky Stuart) talked, and I'm pretty sure when it gets closer he'll start talking to everyone."

- AAP

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