Toronto Wolfpack

Sonny Bill Williams' Canadian rugby league club set to make $1m payment to unpaid players

According to various news reports, the Canadian club and the GMB Union are set to hold virtual talks on Wednesday (NZ time) with a possible $C1 million ($NZ1.1 million) agreement looming in the players' unpaid wages case against the Wolfpack.

Toronto pulled out of the 2020 Super League season last July after six games after owner David Argyle reportedly experienced financial problems following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Argyle stepped down and a new club management unsuccessfully sought reinstatement in the 2021 Super League competition.

Wolfpack won't be back

Last November Williams signed a two year deal with the Wolfpack for a reported 10 million dollars.

The Wolfpack pulled out of this year's competition in July citing financial challenges from the Covid-19 outbreak, having failed to pay players, coaches and staff for several months.

New owner Carlo LiVolsi offered to underwrite the club's losses, but his plans were rejected at a meeting of the Super League clubs.

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.

Sonny Bill Williams could make his league return with Toronto Wolfpack this weekend

Williams has returned to league for potentially the final chapter of his illustrious sporting career and his two-year contract with the Canadian league club makes him the richest player in either rugby code, worth a reported $10 million.

The 34-year-old played his 58th and final All Blacks test in the Rugby World Cup last November and he has linked up with the Wolfpack at their Manchester base ahead of their debut season in the UK's Super League.

Toronto Wolfpack invite NRL clubs to play in Canada

The Wolfpack, who won last year's League One competition in England and are leading the second-tier Championship league, have global ambitions and this week confirmed the signing of Darcy Lussick from Manly after he turned down approaches from rival NRL clubs.

Wolfpack director of rugby, Brian Noble, told NRL.com that Toronto was keen to host an NRL club and said there would be strong local interest for a match between the Ontario-based franchise and a team from Australia or New Zealand.

Simona hits Super League roadblock

Former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who handed Simona his NRL debut in 2011, has been making enquiries about his availability and is willing to hand him a career lifeline at Hull KR next season.

Toronto coach Paul Rowley, who is also willing to give Simona another chance after being banned by the NRL for betting against his own team, has hit out at the Rugby Football League rules that prohibit Simona from playing for the Wolfpack next year.

Toronto eye newly-liquidated Bradford Bulls' Championship place

The Rugby Football League caused a stir by offering the defunct Bulls the chance to stay in the second tier of the professional game under new ownership rather than starting at the bottom of the pyramid, as the Wolfpack are doing in League 1.

The Canadian newcomers are gearing up for the start of the season in March, using training facilities in West Yorkshire, but Rowley says they would be keen to start in the Championship if the opportunity arose.

"We weren't sounded out and nor were any of the Cumbrian clubs," Rowley told Press Association Sport.