Sonny Bill Williams has sparked controversy by walking out on his contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Bulldogs star walks out on contract to cross codes
Sonny Bill Williams has sparked controversy by walking out on his contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Australian Rugby League club are thought to be considering their legal options after the star forward reportedly left to play for French rugby union side Toulon.
His decision has shocked NRL officials and fans as he does not have a "get-out clause" in his contract.
The 22 year-old New Zealand back rower has reportedly flown to France to tie up the deal, which is rumoured to be worth $3,000,000 over two years.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg is believed to be seeking legal action over the matter, and is taking advice on how to best protect his club's big investment.
"I'm not looking to make contact with Sonny at the moment, I'm looking to make contact with my legal people to make sure we get the best advice possible and we form a strategy around protecting our investment," Greenberg told
AAP.
"At the moment we're still looking at him coming back to honour the original concept, which is a five-year deal. Sonny Bill is in a contract, he has no get-out clause and he's basically walked out in the middle of a contract.
Commitment
"You need to explore all avenues; we just need to make sure we go through all the opportunities to this club and the game to make sure people are expected to honour the commitment that they've signed."
Toulon's president Mourad Boudjellal has denied any association with the Kiwi star, saying only that he spoke to Williams "some time ago" about a possible switch.
Greenberg is also angry at the lack of involvement from the International Rugby Board, he have apparently distanced themselves from the matter believing it is not their place to become involved. The IRB believe that this is a club matter, of which they have no say on.
"The club is entitled to take on whatever player they see fit," IRB spokeswoman Alison Hughes told
The Daily Telegraph .
"Our jurisdiction is a player must make sure he is fit to play international rugby. The club contract is a very different animal."
