Dragons show skill against Bulldogs rookies

July 29, 2008

Dragons beat Bulldogs NRL Round 20 2008The St George Illawarra Dragons opened tonights Monday night fixture with a bang - turning on a tidal wave of tries, including a first half hat-trick to Josh Morris, against an inexperienced and shell shocked Bulldogs side well down on forwards as their NRL season goes from bad to worse.  Saints winning 30-0.

Any hopes the SBW dramas could somehow unite and solidify the young Bulldogs were well and truly gone by halftime when they were 26 points behind, despite an improved second half, they were unable to post any points.

The Dragons, getting points through Matt Cooper, Brett Morris and Jamie Soward, moved into 6th spot on the NRL Table with the win after back to back defeats recently which had seen them slide out of the Top 8.

Morris, bound for the Bulldogs next season himself, had the home side in front just four minutes in after Bulldogs winger Heka Nanai had spilled the ball in his own in-goal.

He claimed a second in the 11th minute when he finished off a move sparked by a strong Jason Ryles run and offload before Cooper crashed over eight minutes later.

Morris’ hat trick was completed inside 25 minutes when he leapt all over Nanai to claim a Ben Hornby cross-field kick before his brother Brett joined him on the scoresheet following some flashy footwork from Soward.

The conditions took their toll in a second half dominated by errors, and the Bulldogs best chance to score turned into another try for the Dragons, when Soward snatched an intercept and ran 90 metres to score in the 55th.

The Bulldogs’ build up to the game could hardly have been more dramatic with Ben Roberts and Lee Te Maari also being stood down after their involvement in an altercation at a Cronulla nightclub last weekend.

In further blows, they lost centre Tim Winitana after just four minutes while forward John Kite was placed on report with five minutes to go after lashing out with a boot on Dragons centre Simon Woolford.

Dual international Wendell Saior came off the Dragons’ interchange bench in the 65th, earning the cheers of a poor crowd of 7,802, though his first two touches resulted in errors

Canterbury Bulldogs still stand proud

July 28, 2008

canterbury-bulldogs-team-logo-nrl.jpgThe Bulldogs, a proud past writes HateQld - Established in 1935 and winning their first premiership only 3 years later in 1938, just thirty years after  Rugby League was born - the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have had their fair share of success on the football field.

Their have been unwanted headlines too, dating back before the start of the NRL too - controversy has never been far from the Bulldogs.

Regardless, many great players to have donned on the blue and white jersey and run out for the Bulldogs onto Belmore Oval or more recently Stadium Australia.

In their first Rugby League year the Berries as they were known then, received the biggest defeat in Rugby Leagie history. The much fancied St George Dragons served them up a 91 -6 smashing and then there was the forgettable hammering by the Eastern Suburbs Roosters to the tune of 87 - 7.

Fast forward to 2008, Canterbury now holds many great records - they were the team in 1967 to stop the mighty St George Dragons winning a twelfth consecutive premiership, only losing to the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a runaway intercept try by Bob McCarthy in the Grand Final who was to join the club in the mid seventies after he was unwanted by Souths and was later joined by an other Rabbits player in Gary Stevens.

During the mid 1970’s the Bulldogs were coached by a quietly spoken Ted Glossop, they threw the ball around all over the field , scoring one the best tries ever to be seen. The movement started in their own half  by a rampaging Norm Thomas, after the play the ball , the side to side movement of the ball across the field began ,  first to the right , back to the left ,then back to the right in a movement which saw at least fifteen pairs of hands handle the football , with some touching it twice and the Hughes brothers combining to send Don Moseley across the line.

Such was the quality of Canterbury in the mid 1970’s they were turning on the entertainment week in, week out.

Canterbury had to wait until 1974 to make an other Rugby League Grand Final appearance, losing 19 - 4 to an Easter Suburbs side coached by the late Jack Gibson and captain by Arthur Beetson .

The following few years they managed to reach the finals on five occasions missing out only once in 1977 . St George got revenge on the Bulldogs in 1979 taking the crown 17 -13 , a bitter sweet moment for the Dragons , for whom the Bulldogs had stopped  from doing that twelfth consecutive victory lap.

The following year the Bulldogs turned the tables on the 1974 result by beating the Eastern Suburbs Roosters  18 - 4 . On that day at the SCG the Bulldogs scored a try which is still talked about today. Fullback Greg Brentnall takes a pass from near the half way line , running at full pace putting up a bomb, and to everyone’s surprise , Canterbury
winger Steve Gearin taking the ball on the full to score one of the best grand final tries at the SCG , a treasured ground for many rugby league grand finals.The only team to have two sets of  brothers to appear in a winning grand final team Mark ,Graham and Gary Hughes  and the Mortimer boys Steve, Peter and Chris .

During the eighties they would share the tile of  best clubs with arch rivals the Parramatta Eels ,who shared Belmore Sports Ground with the Bulldogs while Parramatta Stadium was being built . The Bulldogs winning the premiership four times during the eighties , taking the tile in 84, 85 , losing to the Eels in 86 in the first try less grand final. Lead by the brilliance of Steve Mortimer and coached by the controversial Warren Ryan a man who based his game on defence , the entertainers became the enforcers,as the low score lines during those three grand finals would indicate .

The scores during those years would represent more of  a  tennis game at Wimbledon rather than a Rugby League game , 6 - 4 , 7 - 6 , and  4 - 2 .They only had to wait two years to regain the trophy , in 1988 defeating the Balmain Tigers .The Tigers were coached by the old master Warren Ryan who took them to three consecutive grand finals  .The Bulldogs again appeared in four more deciders losing in 94 and 98, winning in 95 and 2005.

Along with all the success, the club also have personal achievements .Terry Lamb the only player to have played in every match on a Kangaroo tour.Steve Mortimer was the first NSW captain to win a state of origin series for the blues.Hazem El masri is about to become the greatest points scorer in the game .

Disappointment has also been inflicted and  a lot of controversy along the way , and hate came at the club at every angle, from every rival fan. The salary cap scandal in 2002 , followed by the Coffs Harbour alleged rape incident , followed by players who couldn’t keep out of the media for more than a month.

Now comes along the Sonny Bill Williams affair.

Sonny Bill Williams was brought into the club at a young age, moulded and supported into the big time. He was a sensation. The Bulldogs were to become a victim of their own success, SBW launched them into the NRL big time with a 2004 Grand Final win - but maybe he was getting too many pats on the back and eventually started to believe he was bigger than the game. 

While naturally the NRL is a business these days and clubs will on occasion ‘cut’ players who aren’t peforming - they has always been the sanctity of a ‘contract’. The most important issue at hand now, is the Sonny Bill Williams has simply walked out on a binding contract. No regard for the Bulldogs club or the NRL competition as a whole.

Then there are the side issues, the kick in the guts to team mates. SBW walks out on a struggling team of mates who are battling to avoid the NRL wooden spoon. I am sure if the Bulldogs were chasing a Top 4 finish - that Sonny Bill Williams would be very keen to stick around and share the success.

Plenty has been written about Sonny and his decision to flee the country; but as others have already pointed out - with SBW falling into the company of Khoder Nasser and Anthony Mundine, there was always going to be problems.

Firstly, full credit to Nasser and Mundine for their ability to make money. First and foremost they are very good at that, the way they have turned Anthony Mundine into a ‘villian’ in the Australian publics eyes has made them massive dollars - very astute. Mundine seems content to be a ‘hated’ man because it brings him big dollars and thats fine. But when it comes to Sonny Bill Williams, who plays a team sport - is it really the best move for SBW long term?

By linking with Khoder Nasser, Sonny Bill Williams looks to be able to earn a significant payrise by taking the alleged Nasser advice to flee the country and ply his trade internationally.

Accepting a higer paying job is understandable, but to disregard a contract and drop your mates in the deep end is truly a ‘dog’ act. As they say “If you lie down with Dogs, you get Fleas” and it seems SBW has really had a good lay down in the Nasser/Mundine camp.

It’s all history now, the chances of Sonny Bill Williams playing NRL again are remote and theres every chance that the talented youngster might regret his decision in the years ahead.

As for Canterbury, they have had plenty of success in the past and will see more in the future - they have signed quality talent for 2009 and have strong stars coming through in the likes of Ben Barba.

Previously the Dogs have always had a very tough and no nonsense administration, the family club run by the astute and uncompromising CEO in Peter “Bullfrog “Moore . Todd Greenberg should take a leaf out Bullfrogs book and let the players know , if you don’t want to be of this once very successful club , then show them the exit door, no mercy.No player is to big for the game. For those who do the game and their respective clubs proud are the players the league needs to reward .

Hate Qld
John

Sydney Roosters revenge on Manly at SFS

July 28, 2008

The Roosters took advantage of a stunning start in which they scored 18 points in the opening 12 minutes to run out six tries to two winners and put a major dent in the Sea Eagles’ minor premiership bid.

The Roosters’ win went some way to making up for consecutive hidings at the hands of Manly, the Sea Eagles having run up 98 unanswered points over their last two clashes.

Despite the loss Manly remain on top of the ladder courtesy of premier Melbourne’s shock loss to the New Zealand Warriors, but they will be desperately hoping some of their injured brigade are back on deck for Friday night’s home game against resurgent Penrith.

The Roosters moved up to third spot.

The victory was all but sewn up in the opening 40 minutes as the home side took a 24-6 lead to the sheds.

Any chance of a Manly comeback was doused after the break, not by the torrential downpour which sent much of the 22,681 fans scurrying, but by Amos Roberts’ stunning second try of the afternoon.

Having pushed off opposite number Brett Stewart in the first half en route to a 40 metre run to the line after a Steve Menzies fumble, Roberts again showed too much speed and strength for the NSW custodian as he raced 85 metres to make it 28-6 eight minutes after the halftime break.

It was a case of anything you can do I can do better as Stewart ran 99 metres after scooping up a Braith Anasta grubber on his own line to score under the posts, but it was all to no avail as a Willie Mason bust from inside his own half led to a Sam Perrett four-pointer in the shadows of fulltime.

Newcastle put Souths out of Top 8 Hunt

July 28, 2008

The Newcastle Knights not only kept their NRL Top 8 dream alive for 2008, but they put on a stylish performance to kill off a fairytale finish for the South Sydney Rabbitohs after a nice 39-12 win yesterday at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

With a bumper home crowd of 23,182 - Newcastle looks a happy place. Forget the White Knights and dramas of last year; Brian Smith has built a rock solid defensive unit out of rubble up in Newcastle. The likes of John Singleton and Jack Newton should come out and officially apologise to Smith; the man has worked wonders and the coach and team deserve a Top 8 reward this season no doubt.

In an open game, which took 20 minutes to really get going, the Knights took the the game by the scruff of the neck with Kurt Gidley causing the Bunnies problems with most touches of the football.

An Akuila Uate try after 21 minutes was followed by an easy Gidley try set up by Danny Buderus soon after.

Nathan Merritt put the Rabbitohs back in it with a try close to the post but two tries to Adam McDougall, one apiece to Chris Houston, Cameron Ciraldo and Mark Karawana and another to Uate sealed the deal for the Knights.

Merritt scored again for the Rabbitohs but it was a sound Newcastle performance that will give the club hope of climbing into the top eight.

NZ Warriors stun Storm in Auckland

July 28, 2008

THE NZ Warriors have turned on a gritty home performance to secure a big 8-6 upset win over the NRL premiers in freezing cold conditions in Auckland yesterday.

A smothering defence from the NZ Warriors was stifling the Storm all game, the conditions helping the locals continue to frustration tactics used so well by the Dragons on the Storm only a week prior.

Rain pounded down and the game was played under lights on a Mt Smart Stadium ground drenched by two days of wet weather, causing problems to both teams.

The result, sealed by a late penalty, continued the lowly-placed Warriors’ revival of the past month, and they have now won four matches in a row.

Playing into the strong wind, the Warriors drew first blood with a tough try to centre Sonny Fai, who scored after a pass from halfback Grant Rovelli 10 minutes into the game.

They were unlucky not to increase their lead after Ian Henderson got the ball across the try line with three minutes to go before halftime, only to have it ruled no try, due to interference.

The Warriors went into the break with a 4-0 lead.

The Storm, missing suspended star fullback Billy Slater, put in a valiant effort in defence as the Warriors pushed forward time and again.

In the second half both teams continued to slog it out as the south westerly wind whipped up.

A penalty by Lance Hohaia pushed the Warriors lead out to six points.

Twelve minutes into the second half the Storm hit back via a try to interchange forward Sika Manu who pushed his way through two Warriors defenders to score and tie-up the match.

But a penalty against Storm second rower Michael Crocker for not standing square at marker saw Hohaia clinch the win with a 40m kick for goal.

Roosters revenge on average Sea Eagles 34-12

July 27, 2008

It was the NRL win that the Roosters have craved for some time; to get some revenge on cross town rivals Manly - the tri-colours winning 34-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The win helping the Roosters towards their goal of a home semi-final and getting them well and truly back on the winning track.

Jumping out of the gates well the Chooks got the ideal start in which they scored 18 points in the opening 12 minutes to run out six tries to two winners and put a major dent in the Sea Eagles’ minor premiership bid. In comparison, the Sea Eagles looked a little down on energy even before a ball was kicked at the SFS today.

The Roosters’ win went some way to making up for consecutive hidings at the hands of Manly, the Sea Eagles having run up 98 unanswered points over their last two clashes.

Despite the loss Manly remain on top of the ladder courtesy of premier Melbourne’s shock loss to the New Zealand Warriors, but they will be desperately hoping some of their injured brigade are back on deck for Friday night’s home game against resurgent Penrith.

The Roosters moved up to third spot.

The victory was all but sewn up in the opening 40 minutes as the home side took a 24-6 lead to the sheds.

Any chance of a Manly comeback was doused after the break, not by the torrential downpour which sent much of the 22,681 fans scurrying, but by Amos Roberts’ stunning second try of the afternoon.

Having pushed off opposite number Brett Stewart in the first half to en route to a 40 metre run to the line after a Steve Menzies fumble, Roberts again showed too much speed and strength for the NSW custodian as he raced 85 metres to make it 28-6 eight minutes after the halftime break.

It was vintage Amos Roberts; sniffing around the ball for any half chances and turning on the afterburners when needed. Such was the quality, Roberts had it over his opposite Brett Stewart in every department.

More positives came for the Roosters in the way their forwards bounced back today; rolling over the ad line as the game wore on and pushing the passes at the right time.

It was a case of anything you can do I can do better as Stewart ran 99 metres after scooping up a Braith Anasta grubber on his own line to score under the posts, but it was all to no avail as a Willie Mason bust from inside his own half led to a Sam Perrett four-pointer in the shadows of fulltime.

The win positions the Roosters nicely for their finals assault, the confidence injection they needed and coach Brad Fittler will be happy with the way some of the tries were scored. Several of the tries were a result of second phase play and went through the hands rather than coming from kicks as has been the case with the Roosters during this NRL season.

Panthers do a job on Wests Tigers 24-10

July 27, 2008

The Panthers’ 24-10 victory over the Tigers has thurst them into the NRL finals mix, but coach Matthew Elliott has done his best to hose down the hype - suggesting the Panthers have a hard road ahead towards the NRL finals.

Penrith have the toughest run of any other team heading into the Top 8, meeting NRL leaders Manly on 2 occasions and benchmark NRL team Melbourne once.

Elliott knows that a loss against the Tigers could have signaled the end of the Panthers’ season.

“It was a really important win for us for a lot of reasons, obviously the two points for where we are on the competition table are vital for sure,” Elliott said after the match.

“But to come from behind at halftime and not to play our most cohesive footy, but still be reasonably comfortable in what we did, was fairly encouraging.”

Elliott admitted the confidence of his younger brigade of Iosefa, Coote and Wade Graham was starting to rub off on the rest of the team.

“Can you still believe Wade is at school?” Elliott said.

“The young kids that we’ve got, I think it’s a testimony to their maturity but also the fact they can come in and play alongside Petero and Luke Priddis and be made to feel part of the team straight away.”

Tigers coach Tim Sheens said the loss had left his side in a large hole, now two competition points shy of the top eight.

“It’s certainly a nail in the coffin, I wouldn’t say we’re sealed in yet but we’re going under, we just couldn’t afford to lose that game really,” he said.

“It just put a lot of pressure on us for the remaining game.

“We won’t right ourselves off, but it was a game there to be won.”

The Tigers boast a considerably easier run home than the Panthers, facing just one of the top four teams (Sharks) in the remaining rounds.

Canberra Raiders rip through young Titans

July 26, 2008

Terry Campese Canberra RaidersCANBERRA have shrugged off the Todd Carney affair to blow away a young Gold Coast side 46-4 at Canberra Stadium and slot themselves into the NRL Top 8.

Local junior Marc Herbert filled in for Carney in the Raiders lineup; the rookie landed himself a try and guided the Canberra team around the park well.

Green Machine pivot Terry Campese was dynamic in his playmaking role. Kicking 7 conversions and was denied a try but laid on plenty of others including Herbert’s.

Coach Neil Henry was naturally extremely happy for his halves in the job their did under pressure after a shocking week for the club, having to deal with the Todd Carney and Bronx Goodwin affair, then former player Steve Irwin coming forward to discuss last years alleged cover-up.

“Herbie was tremendous. He had to do a fair bit of defence out there,” Henry said.

“That’s a great debut for the kid.”

While the Raiders’ attacking dominance put a smile on the coach’s face it was the defence and skills which gave him most satisfaction.

“What we haven’t done in the last six weeks is properly held the ball in the second half and controlled it as well as we did tonight.”

Titans mentor John Cartwright was full of praise for the lime green and offered no excuses despite his outfit missing four key players.

“They’re a top-four side,” Cartwright said.

“They’re playing with confidence. It was one of their performances where everything that could go right for them did.”

Gold Coast are expecting Daniel Conn and Mark Minichiello to return to first grade in the coming weeks, Cartwright said, but remain without their Origin star Scott Prince.

Campese put in his best game of the season and will need to do the same for the next six weeks with the Raiders chief executive Don Furner saying Carney would need to accept a season-ending ban if he wanted to stay at the club.

“The board met tonight and decided that for Todd Carney to remain at the Raiders he will have to accept a plan for the rest of this year which will include being stood down for the remainder of the season, from playing and training,” Furner said.

Fringe first grader Bronx Goodwin was also involved in the drinking session with Carney and will face two counts of assault at the ACT Magistrates’ Court on August 11.

Furner said a decision on Goodwin’s future would not be made until after the court hearing.

Carney and his manager are expected to meet the club on Monday.

Where’s the loyalty gone in the NRL?

July 26, 2008

Loyalty in the NRL is gone in 2008 as SBW and Mark Gasnier quit Wheres the loyalty gone writes Ricky Ricardo; - has the last ounce of loyalty gone with the likes of Mark Gasnier, Sonny Bill Williams and the Union brigade?

And what is it with these get out clauses in NRL contracts these days? What’s the point of agreeing to sign a multi-year contract with a team only to have a get out clause that says a player can leave after a year?

How would the NRL club feel losing one of their best players or one of their most promising youngsters all because of a clause such as that.

That’s where the loyalty situation becomes a problem in the NRL.

And something has to be done to stop such things happening, while admittedly we seem to have at least ‘one crisis’ every year in the Rugby League - this player drain is something that needs to be addressed immediately.

Dragons CEO Peter Doust didn’t do a whole bunch to stop Gasnier from going to play Rugby Union in France. The bumbling Dragons knew for some time that Gasnier was unhappy and probably didn’t do enough to accommodate the star back. It was pointless trying to work out a backup plan in the weeks or even days leading up to the Gaz departure. Way too late guys.

How any NRL club could simply let it happen is beyond me.

Considering Mark Gasnier is one of the greatest centres in the game, surely more could have been done by the Dragons initially and then possibly the NRL.

But its too late now, he made up his mind and there’s no stopping him. And in letting him go, we’ve just lost one of the greatest NRL
players of the modern era. This has to stop. The exodus to Rugby Union may just outweigh the exodus to England with the UK Super League soon, if the NRL isn’t careful - this could really put the problem into the dangerous category. With the European Union clubs throwing big dollars around - NRL players would be eyeing the big dollars no doubt.

Think about this.

asnier has a $600,000 a year deal until 2011. What more could he want? He’s getting paid a hell of a lot of money, is idolised by many young kids out there, is looked up to by all the youngsters coming through the Dragons youth teams, admired by fans and other players alike, playing in one of the most prestigious clubs in the NRL, what more does he possibly need or want?

The NRL have claimed it was too expensive to retain Gasnier and it would send clubs broke to try and compete. But losing someone like Mark Gasnier probably costs even more - gatetakings, merchandise, representative fixtures - the list goes on.

That is something the NRL cannot afford to cop.

We want to make the game even bigger than what it is, but we continue to let our best players go to England. And those aren’t going to
England to play in the UK Super League are looking at local or international Rugby Union clubs. So it’s a leaking bucket of talent in all different directions.

Would you believe that there are only 26 players left in the NRL that have played for the same club their whole career? Soon to be 25 that is with Corey Hughes being squeezed out of the Bulldogs.

That only leaves only 25 players who are a single club player.

Who would have guessed that Petero Civoniceva was moving to Penrith? Who would have known that Steve Menzies and Danny Buderus would finish their careers in England?

No one I bet.

It cannot keep happening.

Its about drive and passion and heart. If a player has the desire to play day in and day out for the same NRL team then let them,
they have the heart and the character and deserve a special arrangement. The faith that one day they can be remembered as a
player who stuck by his team in the good time and the bad would sit nicely with themselves, the fans and the games elite.

Darren Lockyer, Tonie Carroll, Corey Parker, Hazem El Masri, Alan Tounge, Steve Simpson, Matt Bowen, Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless, Luke Burt, Rhys Wesser, Matt Cooper, Ben Hornby, Anthony Minichello

The only players that will remain after the end of the current season to have played with the same NRL team their whole career.
Take away from that list, Steve Menzies, Danny Buderus, Tony Puletua, Jason Ryles, Wairangi Koopu and Logan Swann, all going to England to play in the UK Super League tournament.

Quite amazing isn’t it.

Again it reinforces the message of retaining the games best players. Greg Florimo, former North Sydney Bears legend says “The NRL should provide greater salary cap exemptions for long serving players than those that are already in place”

Currently all clubs are given a $100,000 total allowance to keep players who have served a continuous period of eight years in first grade.
“There’s no other reason that those guys aregoing to play other than the cash” Florimo said. “If you’ve got a guy who has been with the one NRL club for more than 10 years, there has to be some exemption for him - some sort of reward for that loyalty to both the club and the player. I think our game is built on loyalty, tradition, heritage and those sorts of qualities are quickly disappearing unfortunately.”

Outgoing Bulldogs Hooker Corey Hughes says “I think it is sad that these guys are being pushed away from their clubs. Its sad for the fans who grow to love the players.”

Strong words there coming from a current player on the current situation. Corey Hughes himself being forced out due to salary cap restrictions.
On the other hand, former St George great John Raper said let the man acclaimed as the world’s best centre “Mark Gasnier” leave the Dragons because coach Wayne Bennett would develop “three Mark Gasnier’s” at St George Illawarra when he takes over the reigns in 2009.

“If he’s not happy at the club then let him go”. said Raper Snr

But we can only bury out head in the sand for so long, we are fortunate to have some good juniors coming through - but the quality cannot continue when the cream keeps getting taken away from the top.

Sonny Bill Williams walks out on Bulldogs

July 26, 2008

Sonny Bill Williams quits Bulldogs and NRLSources suggest today that prominent Bulldogs and New Zealand Rugby League forward, Sonny Bill Williams has walked out on the Bulldogs club and quit the NRL. Information is still coming to hand - but it’s believed Sonny Bill Williams has actually left the country for reasons unknown and is shortly about to link up with French Rugby Union club Toulon.

Williams apparently left Australia yesterday without letting team mates or officials at the Bulldogs know.

The star Rugby League forward has a contract with the Bulldogs in the NRL for another 4 season and the walk-out will surely see a legal battle erupt.

Bulldogs SEO Todd Greenberg said: “”I’ve had QC’s look at his contract and there is absolutely no get-out clause.”

”I’m shocked to hear of this situation with Sonny Bill Williams because I saw him Oatley at 7.30am today.’’

Williams was selected in the Bulldogs side to face the Dragons on Monday night.

While it’s only early stages and information will continue to come to light regarding Sonny Bill Williams and his quitting the Bulldogs and NRL; its hard not to speculate as to why the star backrower as not only left the Bulldogs but walked out on the NRL in 2008. Since linking with new player manager Khoder Nasser (who also manages Anthony Mundine) SBW has been keenly chasing Bulldogs management for an upgraded NRL contract and/or the option to leave the club should demands not be met.

Update: Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg has just told ABC radio that Sonny Bill Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser has now confirmed the star NRL Rugby League player has left the country.

“I’ve just got off the phone to Sonny’s manager Khoder Nasser and he has confirmed to me that Sonny has left the country,” Greenberg said.

“Quite simply, if Sonny intends to play overseas, we’ll be looking to take out an injunction which will effectively stop him playing in France, England or anywhere else he intends to do it.”

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