Sonny Bill Williams’ Toronto deal done – now Wolfpack target Semi Radradra
SONNY Bill Williams’ move to Toronto was first touted BEFORE they reached Super League.
Now the Wolfpack are ready to raid rugby union further by making a move for Fiji ace Semi Radradra.
And they are also tracking former Wasps RU star Christian Wade's progress in the NFL with a view to bring the Buffalo Bills man to Canada.
Toronto will confirm the richest deal in the history of either rugby code – worth in the region of £5.5 million over two years – today.
Dual-code New Zealand icon Williams has chosen Super League over French and Japanese RU clubs.
But SunSport understands the Canadian side first contacted the 34-year-old before they won the Championship Grand Final against Featherstone last month.
As the deal approached completion, Williams is believed to have been in daily contact with Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott about his plans.
He is even thought to have asked about the best areas to live in the Manchester area, where Toronto train when they play on this side of the Atlantic.
Williams, whose capture is likely to be confirmed tonight, will be next Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in London’s Trafalgar Square after agreeing to the switch.
And even if he plays Test rugby for Samoa – where his father is from – he will still be classed as an overseas quota player as Chase Stanley and Ricky Leutele already occupy the two non-federation trained slots they are allowed.
Williams’ return to rugby league, where he made his name before switching to RU, coming back then heading to the 15-a-side code again, is thought to be worth tens of thousands of pounds of extra revenue for Super League.
Toronto will play three ‘home’ games at Leeds’ Headingley, York’s new stadium and Saracens RU’s Allianz Park before facing Hull FC in the first Super League match in Canada on April 18.
And the money brought in by extra fans buying tickets to watch him – particularly for the Wolfpack’s season opener against Castleford at Leeds – is set to strengthen the game’s often criticised marketing.
One Super League chairman described the boost he would make as ‘material.’
Wolfpack insiders described reports linking them with England RU star Manu Tuilagi as ‘speculative.’
