Sonny Bill Williams

Warriors show interest in SBW

The Toronto team has withdrawn from the August restart of Super League Europe due to financial challenges from the Covid-19 outbreak, leaving marquee recruit Williams free to find a club in the NRL.

The reigning champion Sydney Roosters, who Williams helped to the title in 2013, are likely to be first in the queue having lost a couple of key players to injury since the league resumed at the end of May.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George, though, said his side would also be interested in bringing the 34-year-old former Kiwis forward to the Auckland-based club.

SBW on how lockdown affects Ramadan

Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, when they fast during daylight hours - staying away from food and drink for 18 hours.

Williams who's now back playing rugby league for the Toronto Wolfpack side in the English super league competition says during Ramadan in previous years he's had to head to training but the lockdown has meant he has got to stay at home and spend the time with his family - perfecting his baking skills.

"If you want chocolate chip ANZAC biscuits 'I'm your man'," he told the BBC

Tyson dismisses Sonny Bill Williams fight – report

Tyson, 53, had been offered $3 million to fight Williams but the Daily Mail says Tyson was unimpressed when promoters floated the idea, saying if he got back into the ring it would be with a real boxer not a rugby player.

Tyson's management had been negotiating with Australian promoters to take part in a multi-million dollar charity bout in Melbourne next year.

Williams, who has had seven fights as a professional for seven wins has said he was willing to get into the ring with Tyson despite his limited boxing experience.

Sonny Bill Williams speaks out in favour of pay cuts

Williams became league’s highest paid player when he joined the Super League club on a two-year contract worth $10m, but with sport worldwide struggling from the impact of the pandemic, he would readily do his part to help the game financially.

“100 per cent, I would be that way inclined,” Williams told the UK’s Sky Sports News when asked about a pay cut.

“When it comes to taking pay cuts, to keep the game afloat, it would be crazy not to think that’s going to occur, especially with the way things are happening in the sporting world.

Sonny Bill Williams’ Samoa v Jason Taumalolo’s Tonga set to go ahead in America

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that promoter Paul Langi Kinikini wants to cough up the cash to bring the two mega stars to Utah.

The city has a large Tonga population and if it gets approved by international chiefs would be played in Salt Lake City.

League authorities would be wise to examine the fallout from the Kiwis vs England Test in Denver in 2018, which saw both the New Zealand and English federations out of pocket following Jason Moore’s failed event.

But Kinikini told The Sydney Morning Herald he didn’t have an issue with paying the cash up front.

SBW bids family sad farewell as news of fight with AFL legend Barry Hall breaks

Williams had returned home for the birth of he and wife Alana's fourth child. He left again today, as news emerged from Australia of his next bout.

Hall rebuffed a potential rematch with former Cronulla Sharks skipper Paul Gallen in favour of fighting Williams.

Hall's eyeing off a super fight with Williams once the English Super League season comes to an end. Williams is playing his first season with the Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League.

SBW sees positive signs for Toronto

The New Zealand great, who began his professional rugby career with the Canterbury Bulldogs, switched codes again last year when he left the Blues to join Toronto ahead of their inaugural Super League season.

Twice a World Cup winner with the All Blacks, Williams was unable to help the Wolfpack avoid a 28-10 defeat to Castleford Tigers in their opening match of 2020.

Toronto lose on Super League bow

Toronto – only formed four years ago – marked their debut in the top flight by scoring an early try, Liam Kay getting on the end of a grubber kick in the first of two games played at Headingley on Sunday.

Williams was on the bench at that stage and the New Zealander, who last played in the 13-man code in 2014, endured an inauspicious start following his introduction to proceedings, knocking on with his first touch.

Castleford recovered quickly after falling behind, Greg Eden, Grant Millington, Adam Milner and Michael Shenton all scoring tries before the break.

Folau could face SBW in Test but first must force way into Tongan team

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf intends to stay loyal to the players responsible for the rise of the Pacific nation in recent season but confirmed that Folau would be considered for this year's Tests against New Zealand, Fiji and possibly a Williams-inspired Samoa.

The majority of the squad committed to their heritage for the 2017 World Cup and again stuck solid during last year's stand-off with the Tongan National Rugby League.

Sonny Bill Williams allowed to cover Betfred logo on jersey

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone says an agreement has been reached with Betfred - one of the UK's biggest betting companies. Gambling is considered 'haram' or forbidden in Islam, along with other practices like drinking alcohol. 

Williams converted from Christianity to Islam in 2009 and was the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks. 

"I think the matter has been resolved in satisfactory fashion," said Elstone. "I have say a big 'thank you' to Betfred for the way they've managed this.