July 26, 2008

THERE are reports that Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams has walked out on the NRL club and is set for a big-money switch to rugby union.

Williams was named in the Bulldogs team to face St George-Illawarra on Monday night, but is believed to have left the country to sign with French rugby union side Toulon, the team coached by retired New Zealand rugby captain Tana Umaga.

Fox Sports commentators, Warren Smith and Greg Alexander, broke the news live on air prior to the Canberra-Gold Coast game.

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg told ABC radio that Williams' manager Khoder Nasser had confirmed the star player's sudden departure.

"I've just got off the phone to Sonny's manager Khoder Nasser and he has confirmed to me that Sonny has left the country," Greenberg said.

"Quite simply, if Sonny intends to play overseas, we'll be looking to take out an injunction which will effectively stop him playing in France, England or anywhere else he intends to do it."

Asked whether the issue was likely to end up in the courts, Greenberg said: "I suggest at this early stage that you are probably right but we are going to have to review all our options to make sure that the Bulldogs are well covered."

Channel Nine reported that Williams walked out on his five-year deal with the Bulldogs to fly to France where he is to sign a deal with second division rugby union club Toulon - where former Australia rugby captain George Gregan has been playing.

The deal is reportedly worth $3 million over two years.

Williams had been signed to the Bulldogs until 2012 for an estimated $450,000 a year.

But the New Zealand international had been at loggerheads with the club for sometime, claiming he was worth more money.

He was also upset with what he perceived as excessive media scrutiny into his private life and at the urging of the club having to admit he had problems with alcohol last year.

His departure comes after St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier also signed a deal with Stade Francais worth an estimated $2 million over two years.

NRL Chief Executive, David Gallop, echoed Greenberg's disappointment in Williams's decision.

“It is unacceptable to walk out on a contract," he said.

"If Sonny Bill Williams has personal issues we will be happy to discuss them with him but we will support the Bulldogs in enforcing their contract and that includes preventing him from playing other than under that contract.

“Certainly the club, his teammates and the fans are entitled to some explanation for what has happened.”

great player but no one is to big for a club as its a team sport

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BOX1RACING
Furnassdale W.A

July 27, 2008

DAVID Gallop has called for help from the International Rugby Board to quash Sonny Bill Williams' apparent bid to play rugby union in France, a move which would end his NRL career for good.

“If Sonny Bill were to play overseas, the door would be closed on him returning to the NRL at anytime in the future,” Gallop declared.

The NRL chief executive's stunning call for co-operation from a code which was subject to almost 100 years of rugby league raids on its player ranks comes as some legal advice suggested any attempt at an injunction to prevent Williams breaking his Bulldogs contract may not work.

Bulldogs teammates led by skipper Andrew Ryan expressed shock and dismay at Williams' unannounced walkout, while fans and officials voiced outrage.

The New Zealand international was believed to have flown to France on Saturday night to join cashed-up Toulon on a deal worth $3 million over two seasons, despite the newly-promoted French first division club denying signing him.

William's sensational exit had the NRL community reeling, coming less than a week after fellow league star Mark Gasnier announced he would join former Australia player Craig Gower in the French rugby ranks.

Gallop said the Bulldogs would have the NRL's full support in their fight to ensure Williams honoured the remaining four years of the five-season, $2.5 million contract he signed in March last year.

“We'll also be calling on the IRB to step in and get involved. This can't be good for either of the codes,” Gallop said.

“Contractual stability is important to both and, if they don't get involved, then they're condoning a form of international piracy.”

Gallop said Williams' actions seemed out of character for a player who'd been keen to promote himself as a role model for youngsters and fellow Polynesian players.

“He's obviously troubled,” Gallop said. “You don't just walk out without notice unless you're very troubled, in my view.”

In another twist, Khoder Nasser - the man some were blaming for Williams' departure - tonight denied he was the 22-year-old's manager despite having assisted him in recent months.

“I would like to make this point strongly. I am not authorised at any stage to speak on behalf of Sonny Bill Williams,” Nasser said.

The controversial agent also indicated there was more to the saga than met the eye.

“As a friend, I mean, what is done is done and we won't know until we hear from him,” Nasser told Channel Nine.

“There's a lot of things running through his mind and he must have obviously thought that was the best thing to do at the time.”

Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg said the issue was one not just for rugby league but Australian sport as a whole to deal with.

“It has some big ramifications and we need to get the buy in of a whole range of codes,” Greenberg said.

“This is not good for anyone in any sport that someone can take a contract, sign it and then go and find somewhere else to go.

“We need to work hard together in unison to make sure that happens. It's a test case for Australian sport too that the sanctity of a contract in this country needs to remain exactly that.

“We need to stand up here. We need to stand up not just as a club but as a game.

“It's not about trying to change Sonny's mind ... it's about standing up for the right of the contract.”

Greenberg admitted he would listen to offers of compensation from Toulon or any other potential suitors - but stressed he knew nothing of Williams' plans.

Gallop refused to join those blaming Nasser for Williams' walkout.

“These are young men but they are adults and they've got to make their own decisions,” he said.

“Life is about making choices, no matter what your advice is from your agent or anyone else.

“Sonny Bill Williams made this decision to walk off without notice ... it goes way beyond contracts and money - what we're talking about here is someone walking out on their teammates mid-season.

“It flies in the face of everything that kids are taught.”

Bulldogs skipper Ryan said Williams' mid-season walkout was “very hard to swallow when we've been busting our butts at training and in games every week”.

Williams' former teammate Willie Mason refused to comment on the drama, but Roosters skipper Craig Fitzgibbon admitted his defection would be a major blow.

While most were condemning Williams, Fitzgibbon was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“There must be a horrible reason behind the scenes as to why he's so dirty on Canterbury. I'm not sure what it is,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We have to move on ... if he doesn't want to be here, there's no point hanging on to him.

“In saying that, I can't recall a player as talented or as awesome to watch as him in long time. We're going to miss him.”

gallops not happy camper right now....

I think the main thing is what does it show our kids about commitment.
I PLAYED FOR THE SAME TEAM ALL MY LIFE

BYE BYE SONNY

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BOX1RACING
Furnassdale W.A

yeah a contract is a contract and should see a committment..low act by Sonny Bill

Williams summoned back to Australia
July 28, 2008

SONNY Bill Williams has been subpoenaed to appear in the NSW Supreme Court court next Tuesday in the first step towards a possible injunction preventing the Bulldogs superstar walking out on the NRL club.

The stunning development comes as Williams surfaced at London's Heathrow Airport, where he was believed to be en route to Toulon in southern France.

The Bulldogs, with the support of the NRL, sought an injunction with the Supreme Court, which, if passed, would prevent Williams from taking up a rumoured $3 million, two-year deal to switch codes.

"The injunction will seek to restrain him from training or playing other than in accordance with the Bulldogs contract," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"The consequences of breaching an injunction when put in place are that he is liable to contempt of court proceedings that can involve everything from arrest to seizure of assets."

Player manager Khoder Nasser has also been subpoenaed to provide documents relating to information on Williams's whereabouts by Thursday.

Should Williams not front next week, or have a representative appear on his behalf, the hearing will be postponed.

This would be followed by legal arguments to show whether Williams is in contempt of court or whether in fact the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in the matter given Williams is now overseas.

Bulldogs lawyer Arthur Moses claimed the court should have jurisdiction given the breach of contract was committed in NSW.

Supreme Court judge Robert Austin admitted to Moses "you've got a bit of a burden on your shoulders" in reference to the Bulldogs bid to track down Williams.

"I'm concerned this is kind of a blitzkrieg strategy," he said.

The Department of Immigration has also subpoenaed in a bid to help track down Williams, given he would have supplied them with a French address on his departure.

The Bulldogs attempted to have Nasser subpoenaed despite assertions from the controversial player manager yesterday that he was not representing the runaway star.

The Bulldogs claimed they had been operating under the assumption Nasser had been acting as Williams's manger since earlier this year.

"I've been instructed to deal with Khoder Nasser over the last three months and that instruction has come from Sonny Bill Williams direct," Greenberg said.

"Who we (deal with) going forward I'm not sure."

Amid rumours Williams may actually be headed for Toulouse and not Toulon, a spokesperson from the Toulon club denied any knowledge of the Kiwi international having signed a deal.

"For me he is not coming to Toulon, and for the (club) president too," Sandrine Nacci said.

"I have heard about the news this weekend, it was very crazy, but we have no information about that.

"The French union (requires) the French clubs to sign all the contracts before the 15th July ... we have no contract signed by Sonny Bill Williams.

"Maybe the president has a contract with him before the 15th July, but for the moment, nothing."

Gallop expressed dismay at claims from the IRB that they were powerless to stop Williams from signing with Toulon.

"If they don't have jurisdiction, then who does? Can this rogue club simply operate without rules in their code?

"I find that very alarming, and alarming for rugby union as it is for rugby league."

The NRL boss gave an insight into a possible reason for Williams' covert departure from Australia, the Kiwi juggernaut only informing those closest to him of his intentions as he boarded a plane on Saturday.

With the Bulldogs having already stated their marquee talent would not be released from the remaining four years of is contract, Gallop suggested the club may have slapped on Williams to prevent his departure.

"I would have thought the Bulldogs would certainly have done that," Gallop said.

August 12, 2008

SONNY Bill Williams will have to play Super 14 rugby in New Zealand - and inevitably face the music in Australia - if he wants to become an All Black.

On Monday, Kiwi rugby officials said Williams would not be eligible to play for New Zealand while at Toulon.

With only Kiwi-based players eligible to be All Blacks, Williams would have to play for a Kiwi team in Super rugby but then, in turn, tour Australia with his team in the regular competition.

If he keeps playing for Toulon and is found in contempt of court for ignoring the NSW Supreme Court injunction, Williams could face arrest when back on Australian soil - even years from now.

"The policy at the moment is that you have to play in the previous competition to the (All Blacks) team being named and by that we usually mean the Super 14 before the Tri-Nations or the Air New Zealand Cup before the November tour," NZRU boss Steve Tew said.

Thank God that clown is gone. Being a Roosters fan I don't care about that idiot but at least when the Dogs play a game on tele you'll see the other players. The camera was always pasted on that tosser!

August 14, 2008

RUNAWAY star Sonny Bill Williams will line up in the centres for Toulon early Friday morning in defiance of a court injunction which could see him end up in jail.

Williams was named to partner fellow Samoan Tusi Pisi in the centres in Toulon's second pre-season match against French champions Toulouse early Friday morning Australian time.

He will play with the prospect of jail time hanging over his head after the NSW Supreme Court was told Williams had been served the notice documents - which bar him from playing in any other football code or for any team other than the Bulldogs.

But a Toulon club source rejected claims that papers had been served on Williams after Toulon's pre-season friendly match last week.

“That's absolute rubbish,” the source said.

“They haven't handed any papers to him, definitely not.

“I don't know where they stand legally, but they (the NRL) seem to be making a lot of noise because they can't do much more than that.”

Bulldogs' barrister Arthur Moses told the court that if Williams did breach the order, he would seek to initiate contempt of court proceedings.

If proven, the court could move to seize Williams' Australian-based assets which include a southern Sydney home worth more than $1 million.

The court could also impose a jail sentence which would see Williams arrested upon his return to Australia.

“The orders were served on the first defendant (Williams), certainly that betters our position and what we are doing at the moment is observing whether he will breach that order by playing in a game scheduled for Friday morning (Australian time),'' Moses said.

Neither Williams nor his manager Khoder Nasser attended, or were represented, during Thursday’s hearing in the NSW Supreme Court.

Court staff called out Williams' name twice in the hallway outside the courtroom without response.

“The first defendant and the second defendant (Nasser) were notified of the listing today,” Moses said.

“It would appear at this stage there is no appearance.”

His failure to be represented in court is not enough to support a contempt of court finding, Justice Reginald Barrett continuing the temporary injunction and scheduling the case to return to court on September 4.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg hinted that a financial settlement may be the only resolution to the matter.

“Potentially down the track that's where it might head,” Greenberg told reporters.

“I think we've got some time to go before we get to that though, I think we've got to stick solid with the sanctity of the contract.”

Toulon's team manager Tom Whitford said Williams had attended a three-day training camp with his teammates at the foot of the French Alps this week.

“He's doing well,” Whitford told AAP.

“Our first big test is tonight against Toulouse who were the champions last season. It's a big game.”

He admitted a big focus this week had been changing Williams' reliance on the shoulder charge, which cost the Kiwi star ten minutes in the sin bin in his rugby debut last week.

“We have been working on him,” Whitford said.

“The thing is, in the heat of the moment instinct takes over and that's what he is used to doing.

“Bit by bit we have to forge his way out of that and change his habits.”

August 16, 2008

THE Sonny Bill Williams saga could be over as soon as Sunday with the Bulldogs on the verge of accepting a reported $750,000 settlement from his French rugby union club Toulon.

Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said the club was "very close" to signing off on a deal that would see the NRL club end legal action against the rugby league star, who fled Australia for France three weeks ago only one year into his four-year contract.

The Bulldogs are believed to have verbally agreed to the settlement, but Greenberg said the club was taking a cautious approach given the dramatic saga involving Williams and his manager Khoder Nasser.

"We haven't resolved it yet, we haven't signed off on it from the Bulldogs' end," Greenberg said.

"We're very close and we're hoping to have it wrapped up over the weekend.

"I think it's fair enough that we're wary with the negotiations given we're dealing with both Sonny and his manager and on previous history, we've got to make sure we dot all the Is and cross all the Ts here."

Greenberg confirmed the potential settlement was "in the vicinity" of $750,000 and said the deal was likely to be done either Sunday or Monday.

The Bulldogs had originally sought a $2 million settlement, citing the effect Williams' departure would have on recruitment, sponsorship and attendances.

But former Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson reportedly helped broker the deal between both parties on Friday night.

Williams played in a friendly match for Toulon last week but withdrew from his side's pre-season match against Toulouse on Friday morning (Sydney time) so he would not breach a NSW Supreme Court injunction banning him from playing with another club.

Both the Bulldogs and the NRL had vowed to do everything they could to stop Williams playing anywhere else, in order protect the "sanctity of a contract" in the NRL.

Greenberg admitted a settlement was not an ideal outcome but did not believe the Bulldogs were selling out.

"We didn't want Sonny Bill to leave the club in the first place but they're the cards we've been dealt with and we've got to do the best we can and get on with it," he said.

According to a Nine Network report, there are a number of clauses in the agreement, including one which forbids Williams from playing for another NRL club for what would have been the duration of his Bulldogs contract.

It was also reported that the Bulldogs have demanded the money be paid by Monday.