A Roar spy has sited Sonny Bill Williams in Singapore. Has legal talk halted his plans, or is he nutting out the deal half-way between Australia and France?
Our spy reported at 8pm Australian time, Sunday evening:
“I’m in Singapore for work at the moment and was wandering around the riverfront / central area and just saw Sonny Bill Williams walk into the Jumbo Seafood restaurant.”
“He was with another bloke and was walking around like a normal tourist. I had to do a double take but it was definitely him, tats and all. My bet is he’s meeting the deal makers half way to Europe. Either way I hope he goes to rugby.”
Williams, widely condemned by his club and the NRL for walking out on his 5 year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs, has been reported to be on his way to France to begin negotations with Toulon.
The likelihood that some deal will be nutted out in Singapore, half-way between the two parties, makes sense.
Is the deal being nutted out in Singapore? Or has recent comments by Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg, backed by NRL CEO David Gallop, of a legal battle halted the kiwi’s plans mid-route?
Sonny Bill Williams timeline following the signing of a five-year deal in 2007:
March 2007 - Ends protracted negotiations by signing five-year deal with Bulldogs which is due to expire after the 2012 NRL season.
April 2007 - Involved in infamous toilet cubicle tryst with ironwoman Candice Falzon which is captured by another patron at the Clovelly Hotel.
June 2007 - Caught and fined by police for urinating on a wall in side street near a Cronulla nightclub. Admits to an alcohol problem.
March 2008 - Reportedly dumps long-time manager Gavin Orr to link up with Khoder Nasser.
March 2008 - Reveals he has lost respect for former teammate Willie Mason after Mason’s decision to quit the Bulldogs to join the Sydney Roosters. Williams claims Mason’s talk of loyalty had been a big factor in his decision to re-sign with the club the previous year.
May 1 2008 - Says he would seriously contemplate switching to rugby union and chase dual international status if the All Blacks offered him enough money.
May 18 2008 - Reportedly seeks a release from the Bulldogs, but the NRL club says he will be expected to see out the remaining years of his contract.
June 2008 - First sign of reports linking him with a move to Toulon, where former All Black Tana Umaga is the coach.
June 2008 - Khoder Nasser meets with Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg, accompanied by not Williams, but two boxers in his stable, Anthony Mundine and Soloman Haumono. The next day Williams declares he is happy to remain at the club.
July 26 2008 - Williams reportedly flees the country headed for France to take up a two-year deal worth an estimated $3 million to switch codes and play rugby union for Toulon in the French first division.
Our spy reported at 8pm Australian time, Sunday evening:
“I’m in Singapore for work at the moment and was wandering around the riverfront / central area and just saw Sonny Bill Williams walk into the Jumbo Seafood restaurant.”
“He was with another bloke and was walking around like a normal tourist. I had to do a double take but it was definitely him, tats and all. My bet is he’s meeting the deal makers half way to Europe. Either way I hope he goes to rugby.”
Williams, widely condemned by his club and the NRL for walking out on his 5 year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs, has been reported to be on his way to France to begin negotations with Toulon.
The likelihood that some deal will be nutted out in Singapore, half-way between the two parties, makes sense.
Is the deal being nutted out in Singapore? Or has recent comments by Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg, backed by NRL CEO David Gallop, of a legal battle halted the kiwi’s plans mid-route?
Sonny Bill Williams timeline following the signing of a five-year deal in 2007:
March 2007 - Ends protracted negotiations by signing five-year deal with Bulldogs which is due to expire after the 2012 NRL season.
April 2007 - Involved in infamous toilet cubicle tryst with ironwoman Candice Falzon which is captured by another patron at the Clovelly Hotel.
June 2007 - Caught and fined by police for urinating on a wall in side street near a Cronulla nightclub. Admits to an alcohol problem.
March 2008 - Reportedly dumps long-time manager Gavin Orr to link up with Khoder Nasser.
March 2008 - Reveals he has lost respect for former teammate Willie Mason after Mason’s decision to quit the Bulldogs to join the Sydney Roosters. Williams claims Mason’s talk of loyalty had been a big factor in his decision to re-sign with the club the previous year.
May 1 2008 - Says he would seriously contemplate switching to rugby union and chase dual international status if the All Blacks offered him enough money.
May 18 2008 - Reportedly seeks a release from the Bulldogs, but the NRL club says he will be expected to see out the remaining years of his contract.
June 2008 - First sign of reports linking him with a move to Toulon, where former All Black Tana Umaga is the coach.
June 2008 - Khoder Nasser meets with Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg, accompanied by not Williams, but two boxers in his stable, Anthony Mundine and Soloman Haumono. The next day Williams declares he is happy to remain at the club.
July 26 2008 - Williams reportedly flees the country headed for France to take up a two-year deal worth an estimated $3 million to switch codes and play rugby union for Toulon in the French first division.
