Revealed: Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams' hefty pay cut to return to the NRL
At first, Sonny Bill Williams was getting paid too much. Now, he’s not getting enough.
But ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has conceded he is happy to do whatever it takes to get the cross-code superstar back into the NRL for one last time with the Sydney Roosters.
Williams was on a staggering two-year $10m contract at the Toronto Wolfpack, a European Super League club beset by financial disaster according to reports.
Now Williams is about to be valued at $400,000 a season by the NRL salary cap auditor, which translates to a cut price $150,000 given he will play a shortened season.
And as the Sydney Morning Herald notes, this is the perfect number, because surprise, surprise it equates to the remaining space in the Roosters’ salary cap.
But while rival clubs may be miffed at the way the Roosters, gunning for a third consecutive title, can fit SBW in with official help, V’landys is unashamedly unapologetic.
“None at all,” he replied, when asked if he had any qualms.
“The thing about the clubs at the moment is that we’re all united. We need to promote the game. And one thing Sonny Bill Williams does is promote the game.
“The more you promote the game, the better your revenue is. When you’re all united and stick together, everyone benefits.
“Bringing a brand like Sonny Bill Williams into our game will attract substantially more attention, which improves your ratings, which improves your revenue.”
Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle has released Williams on the condition he returns next year. And even if he doesn’t, the ARL Commission is expected to change its rules to ensure SBW can still play in the NRL this year.
That leaves the small matter of Williams putting pen to paper, plus the NRL getting permission for Williams to enter Australia under the Covid-19 rules.
His unique history and age makes it hard to put a true value on his playing ability under the salary cap regulations. But rugby league is nothing if not pragmatic, and the Roosters will be grateful for that.
Far from over-stocking their impressive squad, the Roosters could really do with him because their backrowers have been hit by injuries.
The champions have lost Victor Radley for the season, Angus Crichton is battling a knee problem, and Boyd Cordner suffered ahead knock at the captain’s run on Friday after a serious concussion in a match a few weeks ago.
They played poorly against an under-strength Raiders side in the previous round, and didn’t get close to top gear in a messy win over the struggling Warriors on Saturday night.
Bargain buy SBW – who is revered for his previous influence at the club – could provide the spark they desperately need, rather than being a luxury item.
Comments on RugbyPass
that backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
24 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
24 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
24 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
24 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
24 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
24 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to comments