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Blanco urges Sonny Bill to return to Aus

Friday 01st August 2008

Sonny Bill Williams: Not making any friends in Sydney

France's Ligue Nationale de Rugby president Serge Blanco has urged AWOL Rugby League international Sonny Bill Williams to finish his season in Australia before attempting a move to France.

The Canterbury Bulldogs back row forward has made headlines all week after walking out on his five-year with the Australian Rugby League club and flew to Europe last weekend, reportedly to sign for Top 14 club Toulon.

The New Zealand international's club and the NRL have joined forces in taking legal action in an attempt to hold the 22-year-old to his contract out of fear he might set a precedent that would see the flood gates open for players to abandon their Southern Hemisphere clubs.

Blanco, who earlier in the week said his organisation would be taking steps to put an end to foreigners taking up short term contracts in France, said it was important players honoured their contracts before relocating to Europe.

"In my view, [Williams] should finish his season with his club in Australia and then come to France," Blanco told The Sydney Morning Herald from Paris on Friday.

"I find it funny and bizarre that a player would break his contract in the middle of the season to go somewhere else.

"There is a rule in the French competition that a player can finish his season in Australia and then come to France midway through the season."

NRL chief executive David Gallop has appealed to the IRB, European rugby authorities - as well as the Australian justice system - to force Williams to return to Australia.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) head of communications Greg Thomas said the matter was the concern of the Federation Francaise de Rugby, and not the game's ruling body.

"At a basic level, we don't believe anybody should break their contract," Thomas told the newspaper.

"We have heard from David about this matter, but it is really something for the French authorities."

Blanco, former French international who earned 93 Test caps, said Toulon had not consulted him about Williams's reported recruitment.

The window period for Top 14 transfers came to an end mid-July and Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has insisted Williams has not yet signed with the club.

The Herald however reports that it understands Williams signed with Toulon early last month, after club coach Tana Umaga scouted him in Australia and the club has since helped Williams to obtain a French work permit.

"No-one is in the know at the moment," Blanco said.

"I don't know Sonny Bill Williams, but in the last few days I have heard his name a lot. I have received no official request from the Toulon club. I am waiting to see what will happen."