Director of rugby Brian Noble says Toronto Wolfpack face competition from a number of teams to sign cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams. Williams was part of the New Zealand rugby union team beaten in the semi-finals of the World Cup by England last weekend although he still has one more game to play with the All Blacks in that competition as they face Wales in the bronze medal match on Friday. The 34-year-old has also previously represented New Zealand’s rugby league team on 12 occasions and the suggestion is he could swap codes again after the World Cup. Super League newcomers Toronto are believed to be one of the teams interested in signing Williams although Noble does not believe they are the only ones, with clubs from the NRL also said to be circling. “Who wouldn’t want to sign him? The information is that he’s going to leave the All Blacks,” Noble told the BBC. “His agent, I would say, has probably been in contact with many clubs. “If he is leaving the All Blacks, I am confident there are two or three NRL clubs that are in the batting to secure his services.” The Wolfpack are preparing for their first season in the Super League and Noble is keen for his side to complete a headline signing, with Williams seemingly fitting the bill. “Our aspirations are to bring an impactive, world-known, world current great in relation to heritage and presence in the game of rugby,” the former Great Britain coach added. “He’s still got a game to play in relation to the All Blacks and one of our mantras at Toronto is to bring the best we possibly can bring in relation to a guy who can put bums on seats to the Super League.”
COMMENTS