Sonny Bill Williams touches down while the rule of the game flags for eligibility changes

“Every decision the Commission makes is based on what is in the best interest of the game,” said Acting NRL General Manager Andrew Abdo The Herald.

“The situation at Sonny Bill is very simple. The rules say that you cannot be signed in two competitions at the same time. However, it is clear that Sonny Bill’s team, the Toronto Wolfpack, will be responsible for the rest of the 2020 Super League season Sonny Bill won’t be able to play anywhere else for the rest of the year.

“If other NRL clubs want to hire players from the Toronto WolfPack, we use the same discretion. We work with a number of clubs on their options in this regard. The commission is very dynamic in their thinking.”

“They will be flexible to ensure that rules do not prevent what is in the best interest of the game. We are a sport but also a business. Sonny Bill would generate tremendous interest at the end of the season and that is a great result. ” for all of our competition. “

The decision to reinstate Williams in the NRL has led to proposals that the code could open the door for players to request out-of-season stints for playing the Japanese Rugby Union.

The chair of the ARLC, Peter V’landys, insists that exceptions are granted only in exceptional cases, unaffected by the criticism he has voiced over the past few days about Williams and the desire to have the minimum age for the young gun Joseph Lower suaalii.

“We are not even changing this rule, we are trying to change all the rules so that, in exceptional circumstances, the Commission can decide to exempt or exonerate it,” said V’landys.

“It is not just this rule. You are definitely looking at its merits. We are currently examining other applications. They are adapting to a crisis. People do not understand crisis management. If we stick to this kind.” Thinking and were not flexible, we would not play now. It’s not about Sonny Bill. It’s about adapting to a crisis. The same would apply to any of the Toronto players. We all look at each other.

“We are changing the rule to allow discretion. You should never have rules that contain rules because there are always cases that are exceptional. At the moment we are in a medical crisis, whether you like it or not. A crisis , you need crisis management. “

“You can’t do what you normally do. When you’re in a crisis, you discover things. One thing we discovered is that the rules are too strict. You need the rules to do something Having discretion in them so you can adapt to the situation. “

William’s 14-day stay in Sydney’s business district will take place in a three-bedroom apartment that includes a kitchen where he can prepare his own meals. He has also asked to provide halal products to suit his Islamic beliefs.

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The Sydney Roosters also worked with the NRL to set up a Williams gym that would be available to his four children, aged between five months and six years.

Rooster’s chief executive, Travis Touma, has been tasked with setting up the fitness and training regime that Williams will enforce in the next fortnight after the seasoned Hinterrower canceled a European family vacation to celebrate his NRL comeback.

Williams hasn’t trained in two months or played in almost five months, but will be training with the Roosters who were released from quarantine on August 13. The club hopes to use the 35-year-old for the grand finale of the 17th round rematch against the Canberra Raiders on September 5.