Bulldogs, Toulon reach settlement
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:31
Australia's Bulldogs Rugby League club released Sonny Bill Williams from a five-year contract Monday after reaching a financial deal with French Rugby Union club Toulon over the runaway player.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg would not divulge financial details of the deal but said Williams, who walked out on his contract three weeks ago, would not be able to return to Australia's National Rugby League before 2012, when his deal with the club was due to expire.
Williams, a New Zealand Rugby League international, is expected to sign a two-year deal with Toulon, which is coached by former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga.
"We remain bitterly disappointed at the manner in which Sonny Bill deserted his teammates and his supporters," Greenberg said in a statement.
"We have, however, reached the point where we need to get on with business and we have withdrawn the injunction against him playing for any other club."
While the Bulldogs have not disclosed the sum paid by Toulon to secure Williams, Australian media have reported the figure to be in the vicinity of AU$750,000 US$655,000).
"Neither the Bulldogs nor Sonny Bill have anything further to gain by drawing this situation out any further," Greenberg said.
"With this matter resolved we now look to finishing off our final few games of the season as strongly as possible."
SAPA
