Kiwi Williams in Toulon to finalise contract

New Zealand back-rower Sonny Bill Williams, a star rugby league player in Australia, will be in Toulon on Monday or Tuesday to finalise his contract, the French club said.

The president of the Toulon club, Mourad Boudjellal, said everything was on course for him to sign for the club and make his debut in a friendly on Friday.

Boudjellal told AFP: “Williams will be in Toulon on Monday or Tuesday. We have discussed things with his agents and we are going to try and complete the move.

“If everything goes well, he will have his medical on Tuesday and could make his debut in a friendly match on Friday” against Carqueirannes-Hyeres.

The 22-year-old, a star player for Australian rugby league side Canterbury, has decided to move to the 15-a-side game and team up with Toulon coach and compatriot Tana Umaga.

His departure from Australia has had media headlines and incurred the anger of Canterbury officials.

Canterbury are attempting to legally enforce Williams’s contract and prevent a feared mass exit of the game’s elite stars to cashed-up European clubs.

Sapa-AFP – Rugbyweek.com