Sonny Bill Williams yesterday confirmed he would see out the final four years of his contract with the Bulldogs, ending intense speculation over the New Zealand star's future with the National Rugby League club.
Williams signed a five-year, $A2 million ($NZ2.54 million) deal last year but has been disgruntled at the club in recent times, prompting rumours he wanted to leave to earn more money elsewhere and could switch to rugby union.
The 22-year-old and his manager Khoder Nasser met with club management on Tuesday night where his issues where thrashed out with chief executive Todd Greenberg and club chairman George Peponis.
Williams confirmed he would stay at the club until the end of 2012 and told management of his desire to become a leader of the Bulldogs.
Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Williams said his immediate focus was to return to full fitness so he was available for the Bulldogs' match against Canberra next week.
‘‘I now have a better understanding of the direction the club is heading and there's no question it's something I want to be a part of,'' Williams said in a statement.
Greenberg said the situation had become clearer after the club was finally able to sit down with Williams and talk to him face-toface.
‘‘As far as Sonny was concerned there was probably a bit of uncertainty about his position with us, given the change of club management and also the change of his own management,'' Greenberg said.
‘‘Sonny needed to hear that he is a big part of our plans and last night was impressive in outlining some of his own thoughts on his future with the club.
‘‘The key to resolving this matter was to get everyone talking and we're pleased that well be able to move forward together.''
- Retired All Black Jerry Collins has returned to sport, in the Wellington club rugby league competition.
After recently announcing the end of his rugby union career in New Zealand, Collins turned out for the North City senior team which played Wainuiomata over the weekend.
The Dominion Post newspaper reported that Collins was unregistered and played under a false name in his team's 30-34 loss, which will earn his team a fine.
Wellington Rugby League chairman Stephen Franks welcomed Collins' appearance but said competition rules had to be adhered to.
‘‘He's an inspiration, and we love having him back in our game,'' Franks said.
‘‘But he's also serving as an example in another way. A rule of the game is that players must be registered with a team before they play.''
