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Roosters-bound?
Futures of Sonny Bill Williams and host of Toronto Wolfpack stars in doubt as club quit Super League
SUPER LEAGUE
Sonny Bill WilliamsSource: Getty Images
The future of Sonny Bill Williams and a host of former NRL players are in jeopardy after their club, the Toronto Wolfpack, withdrew from the Super League.
The Super League season is set to resume on August 2 but it has now been plunged into uncertainty by the Wolfpack’s decision to pull out of the competition.
It is understood that captain Josh McCrone is likely to return to Australia in the coming days, while fellow Antipodeans Chase Stanley, Ricky Leutele, Darcy Lussick, Bodene Thompson and Williams, who signed a multimillion-dollar deal with the club last year, are yet to make calls on their future.
They will now all likely come back to Australia and would be able to sign for clubs with available spots if they agree to terms before the NRL’s August 3 deadline. Toronto management have told foxsports.com.au that players are free to speak to rivals.
As it stands only a handful of NRL sides have open spots, although that could change if they release a player to make way for one of the returning Wolfpack players. Undoubtedly there will be interest in Williams, Leutele and there’s a strong chance Lussick will provide reliable back-up to sides with depleted forward packs.
Having stayed in the UK during the COVID-19 shutdown of the game, it is understood that the Australian and New Zealand players were in danger of overstaying their visas which allow them to visit the UK for up to six months per year.
The RFL has faced similar problems in 1997 with Paris Saint Germain and in 2009 with the Celtic Crusaders when players including Josh Hannay were deported due to incorrect visas.
Including their Australasian contingent, Toronto’s squad is down to just 22 players and they have no reserves or juniors. They won’t play at home this season and therefore lose out on revenues gained from home games.
Ricky Leutele of Toronto Wolfpack looks onSource: Getty Images
Argyle says they will walk, but the move puts the game’s TV deal with British broadcaster Sky Sports in doubt. Either it is a stunning act of brinkmanship to get the three things they want – a resolution to visa situation, a slice of the broadcasting revenues from Sky Sports and membership of the RFL – or the likely beginning of the end.
He also admitted concerns about playing twice in a week to make up obligations to broadcasters.
“The resumption to the season is fraught on a level of player welfare,” Argyle told foxsports.com.au.
“One strand of that is the COVID-19 and the fact that Super League players will have to play a game close to every four days to make up the schedule.
“There are also fundamental issues with our agreement with Super League as we are not members and do not receive central distributions from TV disbursement.
Toronto Wolfpack's Sonny Bill Williams and Blake Wallace look onSource: AFP
“We have visa issues which have not been addressed since we entered into the league, and that is nobody’s fault. However, that process has been further complicated by COVID-19.
“There is also a huge hole in our funding due to not being able to play home games in Canada.
Argyle says he wants to go away and plan to restart in Super League for 2021. He conceded that some players, many of whom have yet to be paid June’s wages would be paid in full.
“In regards to outstanding player wages, I have signed a personal guarantee that wages will be paid. I am required to pay under personal guarantees. Will I fulfil those obligations? Absolutely. Our intention is to play in 2021.
“We knew there would be headwinds, and we have made great inroads to develop the game in North America and develop a loyal fanbase in Canada, many of whom were not aware of the sport four years ago. However, the current predicament makes it incredibly difficult to commit to playing in Super League in 2021.”
Futures of Sonny Bill Williams and host of Toronto Wolfpack stars in doubt as club quit Super League
SUPER LEAGUE
- July 21, 2020 1:04pm
- GEORGE CLARKE
- Source: FOX SPORTS
Sonny Bill WilliamsSource: Getty Images
The future of Sonny Bill Williams and a host of former NRL players are in jeopardy after their club, the Toronto Wolfpack, withdrew from the Super League.
The Super League season is set to resume on August 2 but it has now been plunged into uncertainty by the Wolfpack’s decision to pull out of the competition.
It is understood that captain Josh McCrone is likely to return to Australia in the coming days, while fellow Antipodeans Chase Stanley, Ricky Leutele, Darcy Lussick, Bodene Thompson and Williams, who signed a multimillion-dollar deal with the club last year, are yet to make calls on their future.
They will now all likely come back to Australia and would be able to sign for clubs with available spots if they agree to terms before the NRL’s August 3 deadline. Toronto management have told foxsports.com.au that players are free to speak to rivals.
As it stands only a handful of NRL sides have open spots, although that could change if they release a player to make way for one of the returning Wolfpack players. Undoubtedly there will be interest in Williams, Leutele and there’s a strong chance Lussick will provide reliable back-up to sides with depleted forward packs.
Having stayed in the UK during the COVID-19 shutdown of the game, it is understood that the Australian and New Zealand players were in danger of overstaying their visas which allow them to visit the UK for up to six months per year.
The RFL has faced similar problems in 1997 with Paris Saint Germain and in 2009 with the Celtic Crusaders when players including Josh Hannay were deported due to incorrect visas.
Including their Australasian contingent, Toronto’s squad is down to just 22 players and they have no reserves or juniors. They won’t play at home this season and therefore lose out on revenues gained from home games.
Ricky Leutele of Toronto Wolfpack looks onSource: Getty Images
Argyle says they will walk, but the move puts the game’s TV deal with British broadcaster Sky Sports in doubt. Either it is a stunning act of brinkmanship to get the three things they want – a resolution to visa situation, a slice of the broadcasting revenues from Sky Sports and membership of the RFL – or the likely beginning of the end.
He also admitted concerns about playing twice in a week to make up obligations to broadcasters.
“The resumption to the season is fraught on a level of player welfare,” Argyle told foxsports.com.au.
“One strand of that is the COVID-19 and the fact that Super League players will have to play a game close to every four days to make up the schedule.
“There are also fundamental issues with our agreement with Super League as we are not members and do not receive central distributions from TV disbursement.
Toronto Wolfpack's Sonny Bill Williams and Blake Wallace look onSource: AFP
“We have visa issues which have not been addressed since we entered into the league, and that is nobody’s fault. However, that process has been further complicated by COVID-19.
“There is also a huge hole in our funding due to not being able to play home games in Canada.
Argyle says he wants to go away and plan to restart in Super League for 2021. He conceded that some players, many of whom have yet to be paid June’s wages would be paid in full.
“In regards to outstanding player wages, I have signed a personal guarantee that wages will be paid. I am required to pay under personal guarantees. Will I fulfil those obligations? Absolutely. Our intention is to play in 2021.
“We knew there would be headwinds, and we have made great inroads to develop the game in North America and develop a loyal fanbase in Canada, many of whom were not aware of the sport four years ago. However, the current predicament makes it incredibly difficult to commit to playing in Super League in 2021.”
