Massive audience as famous Sonny takes league to the world

SONNY Bill will take rugby league to the world this weekend.

A staggering 100 million people could watch Williams’ return to rugby league on Saturday night, with television industry sources indicating international NRL audiences could increase by up to 70 per cent thanks to Williams.

Fox Sports and Kayo will attract booming ratings in

Australia, while the Sydney Roosters match against Canberra will also be shown throughout New Zealand, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Netherlands, Africa, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

The former All Black’s appearance will spike ratings through global broadcasters

Sky Sports, BeIn Sports, ESPN, TVWAN Action Digicel, Sky Pacific, Sport24, Fox Sports Asia and Pacific Nations. Overseas broadcasters are promoting Williams’ appearance.

Williams’ All Black success will ensure plenty of viewers in rugby union countries.

Canberra’s contingent of Englishmen — George Williams, Ryan Sutton, John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead — will make game even more appetising for UK footy fans.

Williams (pictured) has been written about in media including the New Zealand Herald, Daily Mirror and PNG’s The National this week. Even the San Diego UnionTribune and the Taiwan News ran reports on the comeback.

One TV executive said: “Europe will have a particular interest especially in the UK,

Ireland and France, who love their rugby union. I estimate around 35 million could watch it across Europe.

“The figures in Australia and New Zealand will obviously be huge, while Asia will also be strong. Sonny Bill is a massive name in Japan, which has a population of 125 million.

“The USA – with a population of 330 million – also has a small but hard core fan base.”