League: Warriors 'show interest in Sonny Bill'

Sonny Bill Williams

SYDNEY - The New Zealand Warriors are reported to be showing an interest in National Rugby League star Sonny Bill Williams, as the Canterbury Bulldogs look to retain his services.

The Kiwis international is contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of next season and they have launched plans to secure him beyond that, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported yesterday.

But his manager, Chris Orr, said his client was in no hurry to sign a deal.

"The Bulldogs have contacted us about an extension," Orr said.

"We haven't gone into the terms but I'd assume they'd like to sign him for as long as they possibly could.

"We don't want Sonny to get too far ahead of himself. As a manager, I wouldn't sign a player to a deal two or three years down the track. Twelve months is long enough."

Williams might be too expensive for the Warriors, but the Telegraph reported they could free up money for him following last week's ditching of Sione Faumuina and with captain Steve Price off-contract at the end of next season.

"Being a Kiwi boy, and an Auckland boy and a great player, we'd certainly be interested in Sonny Bill Williams," Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah told the newspaper.

English clubs are also bound to be keen on winning over Williams, who last year knocked back a huge offer, reported to be about A$900,000 ($1,059,945) a season, from St Helens.

The Bulldogs yesterday beat Penrith and host Canberra in the third qualifying final next Saturday night.

- NZPA