http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-buderus-move-a-nonstarter-20100304-pluo.html
AMBITIOUS Newcastle officials have made an inquiry about the possibility of luring Sonny Bill Williams back to the NRL.
In a bold move aimed at ensuring their season does not end in disaster following the departures of forwards Chris Houston and Danny Wicks after the pair were charged with drug trafficking, the Knights have contacted the NRL to ask whether they can sign Williams.
The 24-year-old former Bulldogs superstar is now considering an approach from the All Blacks, who have suggested he ensure his availability for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by moving home to play for one of the country's Super rugby franchises.
Williams's French club, Toulon, is also keen to keep him after going to extraordinary lengths to secure his services when he walked out on the Bulldogs in 2008.
Williams's drawing power was highlighted when 39,688 fans packed the SFS last year to watch his first rugby appearance in Australia for the Barbarians. His ability to generate interest would be as big a factor for the cash-strapped Knights as his on-field brilliance.
To sign Williams, the Knights were told the Bulldogs would have to relax a term in Willaims's contract termination deal, for which he paid the club $750,000. This prohibits him from playing for an NRL rival before 2013 - a condition Bulldogs officials insist they are not willing to waive.
NRL chief executive David Gallop told Newcastle officials of the issue and said the NRL would support every effort to enforce the term.
''I did speak to one club during the week to point out to them that a part of the settlement between Sonny Bill Williams and the Bulldogs is a term that if [he returns] to the NRL he could only play for the Bulldogs before 2013,'' Gallop told the Herald.
Speculation linking the Knights to Williams and former captain Danny Buderus, who is playing for Leeds in Super League, swirled around Newcastle yesterday after local radio reported approaches had been made. Knights chief executive Steve Burraston ruled out approaching Buderus to return to the Knights but confirmed the interest in Williams.
''I wouldn't say I wouldn't be interested because he is obviously a back-rower and an enormous talent,'' Burraston said of Williams. ''Obviously we've lost two players, obviously that frees money up under the salary cap and most definitely we are in the market. Both of them are great players. But we've had no discussions with anyone at this stage.''
It is understood the Knights have about $200,000 under their salary cap to spend on replacements for Houston and Wicks, but the club's strategic development manager, Keith Onslow, does not anticipate securing new players in the next month.
The Knights believe they will have a better idea of available talent once the premiership kicks off and players who are perhaps struggling for opportunities with their existing clubs could see Newcastle as a more attractive option.
Former Knights halfback Luke Walsh sought and was granted a release from Newcastle just days after the opening round last season and, by week two, he had signed for Penrith.
''I've gone fishing, but I haven't caught anything yet,'' Onslow said. ''I've spoken to coaches, CEOs, recruitment staff, agents - everyone out there knows our position, so we'll just see how things pan out in the next few weeks or so.''
