Wolfpack ‘won’t rush back’ SBW
Sonny Bill Williams watched his Toronto Wolfpack team-mates beat Super League rivals Castleford in a pre-season game, but it could take a little longer before he is ‘‘sprinkling some of my salt’’ on the field.
A Press Association report confirmed Williams was among the 3346 spectators at The Jungle yesterday for Toronto’s 16-10 win over the Castleford Tigers in Castleford skipper Michael Shenton’s testimonial game.
Toronto head coach Brian McDermott later said that Williams would be available for the Canadian club’s first Super League game – against Castleford – in Leeds on February 2.
But he said he would not put pressure on the former All Black, who last played rugby league in the 2013 World Cup final for the Kiwis.
‘‘Sonny Bill will be available for round one,’’ McDermott said in the Press Association report.
‘‘Whether we play him or not, we’re just deciding on his fitness.
‘‘That journey from rugby union is not to be sniffed at and we’re taking an approach he’s got to be good for the final third of the season. I know there’s an anticipation around him but we’re not going to rush him and run the risk of him pulling something.’’
Despite Williams’ strong background in rugby league as a NRL title winner, Kiwis test star and former international player of the year, Toronto have accepted it will take time for him to transition back from rugby union.
The 34-year-old played for the All Blacks as a midfield back, but has been slated for the second row on his return to rugby league.
McDermott said Williams would return to New Zealand ‘‘around round three’’ in February for the birth of his fourth child.
His parental leave was approved when he signed his Toronto contract, worth an estimated $10 million over two seasons.
Williams will attend the Toronto Wolfpack’s season preview media launch at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus training base on Thursday (NZ time). He is also expected to take part in Super League’s official season launch on Friday (NZ time).
Williams has spoken about how warmly he has been welcomed by his Wolfpack teammates.
‘‘They’ve got a massive camaraderie here, which is pretty special to see,’’ he said in a video posted recently on the club’s social media channels.