Former All Black superstar, Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) is poised for a shock return to the National Rugby League (NRL), following the collapse of his U.K. rugby league deal. Williams, a genuine superstar of the game is poised to make a return to NRL side the Sydney City Roosters.

SBW was signed to a $2.5million USD contract for U.K. Super League side, the Toronto Wolfpack. The Canadian side withdrew from the U.K., citing financial constraints brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as the main reason.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis was spotted in a lunch meeting with SBW’s agent Khoder Nasser earlier this week. The 34-year old Williams started in the NRL with Canterbury before winning a premiership with Roosters in 2013.

St George Illawarra and Canterbury were both strongly rumoured to be interested in Williams. The Saints were tempted to use the salary cap dispensation for forward Jack de Belin to tempt Williams into joining. The logistics of getting Williams through strict bio-security has seen the Dragons withdraw from the race. The New Zealand Warriors and Bulldogs and Roosters remain in the running, but Williams has his heart set on returning to the Roosters.