NRL Clubs On High Alert With Sonny Bill Williams Potentially Up For Grabs

It appears Sonny Bill Williams' highly sought-after signature is now up for grabs.

With the revamped Super League season set to resume on August 2, the competition's transatlantic team dropped a bombshell that could put the restart on hold altogether.

The Toronto Wolfpack announced on Monday that they were withdrawing from the UK Super League for the remainder of the 2020 season - and all eyes instantly turned to their $10million cross-code megastar.

PA

It's understood the Canadian club are currently undergoing "overwhelming financial challenges", which is their main reason for pulling out of the competition.

Now, with no footy to be played, former NRL star Williams' mammoth $10m deal is in limbo with a host of hungry league and union teams expected to snap him up.

The club released a statement saying: "Toronto Wolfpack can confirm that the club has informed both Super League Europe (SLE) and the Rugby Football League (RFL) that the team will not be restarting the campaign as scheduled on August 2nd.

"The Wolfpack will not participate in the conclusion of the 2020 Betfred Super League season, or in the remainder of the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, and in consideration of a range of factors specific to the club as the only transatlantic team in the league."

Williams, along with a host of other Aussie and Kiwi players, is expected to fly home from the UK some time this week.

PA

But if any team from the NRL hopes to sign the two-time rugby World Cup-winner, then they'll have to reach a deal before the August 3 deadline.

34-year-old Williams is no stranger to NRL fans.

Before winning the 2013 Premiership in a star-studded Sydney Roosters team, SBW was a part of a dominant Canterbury Bulldogs side boasting the likes of Hazem El Masri, Willie Mason, Michael Crocker, Reni Maitua and - of course - Johnathan Thurston.

That team, later dubbed the 'Dogs Dynasty', clinched the 2004 NRL Premiership.

For the Bulldogs, who are one of the only teams who have open spots, the return of SBW would be biblical.

Topics: Transfers, Sonny Bill Williams, Coronavirus, Rugby League, nrl, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry