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NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert set to sign off on Sonny Bill Williams' contract
by: Dean Ritchie From: The Daily Telegraph December 20, 2012 12:00AM
The NRL is ready to sign off on the contract that will bring Sonny Bill Williams to the Roosters. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Australian
SANTA Claus will slip down the chimney of Nick Politis' mansion in the next 24 hours and deliver rugby league a much-needed Christmas present - Sonny Bill Williams.
The man in the Santa suit will be NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, who has finally agreed to register the Sydney Roosters contract of code-hopping Williams.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Williams will officially become a Rooster - playing in the backrow - by tomorrow when the NRL closes its doors for Christmas.
There had been fears Schubert would refuse to register Williams' contract and risk watching the superstar walk away from rugby league once again.
Already rugby league had been left embarrassed after the NRL stalled on registering the Parramatta contract of Israel Folau.
Williams announced he was quitting rugby union for an NRL return five weeks ago. His one-year deal will stretch just eight months.
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According to well-placed sources, the delay came because the NRL wanted to include Williams' boxing prizemoney in the club's salary cap.
The NRL says it has considered this but has chosen not to include Williams' boxing earnings in the Roosters' salary cap.
Commonsense was the winner on the day. Williams, 27, is expected at Roosters training in early February.
NRL interim chief executive Shane Mattiske was reluctant to discuss the Williams deal but did say circumstances were different to Folau.
"In this instance, Sonny Bill Williams has signed and committed to the Sydney Roosters," Mattiske said.
"We are in the process of considering the registration of that contract."
Williams will complete his Japanese rugby union deal with the Panasonic Wild Knights before a professional heavyweight fight against Francois Botha. He will then start training with the Roosters. Williams' deal at Bondi will earn him more than $600,000 next year.
Roosters CEO Brian Canavan was hoping the deal would be ratified by Christmas.
He said earlier this week: "We're just exchanging correspondence back and forth (with the NRL). It's just the process that happens with these more extended contracts.
"The sooner the better. It would be lovely before Christmas."
Protracted talks between Parramatta and the NRL eventually pushed Folau to the NSW Waratahs.
New Zealand assistant coach Tony Iro hoped Williams would move back to rugby league and be chosen in the Kiwi World Cup side.
"We're really excited about him coming back to the game," he said. He confirmed that Williams was "definitely in our plans".
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport...-1226540680612
by: Dean Ritchie From: The Daily Telegraph December 20, 2012 12:00AM
The NRL is ready to sign off on the contract that will bring Sonny Bill Williams to the Roosters. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Australian
SANTA Claus will slip down the chimney of Nick Politis' mansion in the next 24 hours and deliver rugby league a much-needed Christmas present - Sonny Bill Williams.
The man in the Santa suit will be NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, who has finally agreed to register the Sydney Roosters contract of code-hopping Williams.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Williams will officially become a Rooster - playing in the backrow - by tomorrow when the NRL closes its doors for Christmas.
There had been fears Schubert would refuse to register Williams' contract and risk watching the superstar walk away from rugby league once again.
Already rugby league had been left embarrassed after the NRL stalled on registering the Parramatta contract of Israel Folau.
Williams announced he was quitting rugby union for an NRL return five weeks ago. His one-year deal will stretch just eight months.
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According to well-placed sources, the delay came because the NRL wanted to include Williams' boxing prizemoney in the club's salary cap.
The NRL says it has considered this but has chosen not to include Williams' boxing earnings in the Roosters' salary cap.
Commonsense was the winner on the day. Williams, 27, is expected at Roosters training in early February.
NRL interim chief executive Shane Mattiske was reluctant to discuss the Williams deal but did say circumstances were different to Folau.
"In this instance, Sonny Bill Williams has signed and committed to the Sydney Roosters," Mattiske said.
"We are in the process of considering the registration of that contract."
Williams will complete his Japanese rugby union deal with the Panasonic Wild Knights before a professional heavyweight fight against Francois Botha. He will then start training with the Roosters. Williams' deal at Bondi will earn him more than $600,000 next year.
Roosters CEO Brian Canavan was hoping the deal would be ratified by Christmas.
He said earlier this week: "We're just exchanging correspondence back and forth (with the NRL). It's just the process that happens with these more extended contracts.
"The sooner the better. It would be lovely before Christmas."
Protracted talks between Parramatta and the NRL eventually pushed Folau to the NSW Waratahs.
New Zealand assistant coach Tony Iro hoped Williams would move back to rugby league and be chosen in the Kiwi World Cup side.
"We're really excited about him coming back to the game," he said. He confirmed that Williams was "definitely in our plans".
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport...-1226540680612
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