From 'Wild Bill' to 'jail bird' for Williams
Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:14
Sonny Bill Williams remained defiant at the weekend, despite a New South Wales court injunction attempting to prevent him from continuing his career at French Top 14 club Toulon, and even went as far as suggesting he would be prepared to go to jail.
And Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is also adamant his new recruit, Williams, will continue to defy an Australian court ruling prohibiting him from playing for any team other than Rugby League side Canterbury Bulldogs.
Williams, who was yellow carded in his Toulon debut at the weekend, told the Australian media that he would not be deterred by the NSW Supreme Court injunction made against him last Friday - just hours before he made his debut for the French club.
The 23-year-old New Zealander is now in contempt of court for ignoring the injunction.
"I stand by my convictions - and if they want to send me to jail for what I believe in, then so be it," he told the media.
The NSW Supreme Court ordered Williams not to take the field with his Toulon teammates. The order was made during an injunction hearing brought by his former club in an attempt to stop Williams from playing any code of football for any other club in any competition.
With Williams now in contempt of court, it is believed that his Sydney assets could be seized.
This could include Williams's AU$1.27 million home in Caringbah, which he bought in October 2005.
Williams, who pressed ahead with his conversion to Rugby Union by making his bow for Toulon in a 50-5 friendly win over Hyeres last Friday, was yellow carded.
And having now played a match for his new employers, Williams is in contempt of court.
But Boudjellal, the man who financed Williams' controversial move to Toulon, is not worried by the potential repercussions of the player continuing to turn out for the club while his transfer is under such scrutiny.
"We have a contract with Sonny Bill Williams that has been registered with the French Rugby Federation, like any other contract with any other player," Boudjellal told the media in France.
"And it allows him to play in French territory. For certain players, we have to get a release letter to allow them to play. With Sonny Bill, there is no release letter needed.
"He has signed a contract, he has played a game and he is with us.
"I will take the orders of the French authorities."
Asked whether he was worried Williams may now be arrested for ignoring the court ruling in Australia, Boudjellal added: "France doesn't have the same culture as Australia does because getting arrested for that... there are worse things than that in the world.
"There are more shocking things than that happening."
Williams arrived at the Stade du Pyanet under heavy security so he could avoid being handed the New South Wales supreme court injunction.
He made an inauspicious debut to the 15-man code, playing initially on the left wing but then moving into the centre, without getting on the scoresheet.
He even received a yellow card during the game for an illegal tackle and Boudjellal admitted Williams was still getting used to Union rules.
"He is in the middle of learning the differences between Rugby Union and Rugby League," he added. "Gradually, he will pick them up."
Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, AAP and Sportal
