London (AFP)
New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams, recruited by the Toronto Wolfpack franchise to play in the European Super League, said Thursday that Canadians made him an offer he could not "refuse".
"SBW", which returns to the XIII where it started after recently taking the 3rd place of the World Cup in Japan, has signed a 2-year contract and will receive more than 5 million pounds (5.8 million euros) over this period, according to the press.
If these figures are correct, the 34-year-old Kiwi would be the highest paid player in the world of oval.
"When this opportunity came, I could not refuse it," said three-quarters at a press conference in London.
His decision was made in Tokyo after a long talk with Brian McDermott, the Toronto coach, after New Zealand's loss to England in the semifinal.
"My agent was talking to these guys before that, but I did not want to hear about it because it would not have been fair to me or the New Zealand jersey to think about it."
"But as soon as the match against England was over, my agent explained everything about this blessed opportunity," he added.
The Toronto team, supported by Australian billionaire David Argyle, who made his fortune in oil, joined the British championship in 2017.
In October, he won the "one million pound game" against Featherstone to advance to the XIII Elite, the Super League that joins his first North American team.
"What they are trying to do on and off the pitch is something special, rather than asking me," What if I miss it? "+ Thinking about this challenge, I say to myself" And if it worked and that I was part of it? + ", explained Williams again.
The Wolfpack's first league match will be held at home on February 2 against the Castleford Tigers.
© 2019 AFP