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Sonny Bill Williams is still headed to the Roosters. Source: AFP
RELAX, Roosters fans. Sonny Bill Williams is still headed to Bondi Junction next season.
In the absence of a formal announcement, rumours have been multiplying about the dual international's plans for 2013. He's staying in Super Rugby. He's going to South Africa. He's in fresh negotiations with Parramatta.
Forget the lot.
As it stands right now, Williams is returning to rugby league on a one-year deal with the Roosters.
Negotiations have proved more complex than expected, but the club's board is now comfortable with Williams' desire to report for duty after a six-month stint in Japanese rugby.
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A gobsmacking $1 million offer to play 12 matches with Panasonic between September and next January has proved a sticking point because it prevents Williams from joining his new teammates until the eve of the trials.
The New Zealand heavyweight boxing champ is also looking to squeeze another fight into his hectic end-of-year schedule, possibly in Cape Town.
The Roosters initially wanted Williams to commit long term to avoid an annual media circus about his future.
But recent talks have convinced them to compromise, albeit on terms that are not usually extended to other recruits.
That much was confirmed when Williams met chairman Nick Politis while in Sydney last month.
After watching booze-fuelled scandals blight his club over the past four years, Politis has deep respect for Williams' cleanskin lifestyle. He hopes Williams' approach will be a positive influence on the NRL's fresh-faced roster, which will welcome Williams as its second-oldest member behind fullback Anthony Minichiello.
STILL in the eastern beaches, we're tipping Sam Perrett will be granted belated permission to join Canterbury next week.
Part of the mid-season transfer deal involved the Bulldogs handing over talented under-20s pivot Samisoni Langi in exchange for Perrett and his little brother Lloyd.
The youngsters made the switch yesterday, with Langi undergoing a fitness test at Roosters HQ and Perrett Jnr visiting Belmore. But the Roosters still require Perrett's services for Sunday's clash against Manly because Peni Tagive and Shaun Kenny-Dowall remain unavailable.
The transfer deadline does not expire until next Saturday, leaving Perrett more than a week to finalise his 3 1/2-year deal at Belmore.
Enjoying the bye next weekend, the Roosters hope to have Kenny-Dowall or Tagive back for round 18.
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport...-1226404936256
RELAX, Roosters fans. Sonny Bill Williams is still headed to Bondi Junction next season.
In the absence of a formal announcement, rumours have been multiplying about the dual international's plans for 2013. He's staying in Super Rugby. He's going to South Africa. He's in fresh negotiations with Parramatta.
Forget the lot.
As it stands right now, Williams is returning to rugby league on a one-year deal with the Roosters.
Negotiations have proved more complex than expected, but the club's board is now comfortable with Williams' desire to report for duty after a six-month stint in Japanese rugby.
Advertisement
A gobsmacking $1 million offer to play 12 matches with Panasonic between September and next January has proved a sticking point because it prevents Williams from joining his new teammates until the eve of the trials.
The New Zealand heavyweight boxing champ is also looking to squeeze another fight into his hectic end-of-year schedule, possibly in Cape Town.
The Roosters initially wanted Williams to commit long term to avoid an annual media circus about his future.
But recent talks have convinced them to compromise, albeit on terms that are not usually extended to other recruits.
That much was confirmed when Williams met chairman Nick Politis while in Sydney last month.
After watching booze-fuelled scandals blight his club over the past four years, Politis has deep respect for Williams' cleanskin lifestyle. He hopes Williams' approach will be a positive influence on the NRL's fresh-faced roster, which will welcome Williams as its second-oldest member behind fullback Anthony Minichiello.
STILL in the eastern beaches, we're tipping Sam Perrett will be granted belated permission to join Canterbury next week.
Part of the mid-season transfer deal involved the Bulldogs handing over talented under-20s pivot Samisoni Langi in exchange for Perrett and his little brother Lloyd.
The youngsters made the switch yesterday, with Langi undergoing a fitness test at Roosters HQ and Perrett Jnr visiting Belmore. But the Roosters still require Perrett's services for Sunday's clash against Manly because Peni Tagive and Shaun Kenny-Dowall remain unavailable.
The transfer deadline does not expire until next Saturday, leaving Perrett more than a week to finalise his 3 1/2-year deal at Belmore.
Enjoying the bye next weekend, the Roosters hope to have Kenny-Dowall or Tagive back for round 18.
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport...-1226404936256
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