Tana and Sonny Bill on outer at Toulon?
Stuff.co.nz | Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Tana and Sonny Bill on outer at Toulon? - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz

It appears all that glitters is not gold at the big-spending French rugby club Toulon.

Hard on the heels of reports that rugby league deserter Sonny Bill Williams is lonely and homesick comes the news that the club's New Zealand coach and former All Black Tana Umaga may be on the way out and could be replaced by former Wallabies and Stade Francais mentor John Connolly.

At the centre of both reports is Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph said the rumours were that Williams was upset at his treatment by Boudjellal while a Sydney Morning Herald report suggested the Umaga's job was on the line because the owner was far from impressed with Toulon's tepid performanes in France's Top 14 competition this season.

"The guy is a tyrant who is giving Sonny Bill hell," one source told the Daily Telegraph.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph today reported that Williams' old National Rugby League club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, have discussed the possibility of the Kiwi returning to their club.

Williams shocked the league world when he walked out on his Bulldogs contract in July and fled to France despite having four years to run on his contract.

The club has been quick to say the Kiwi could not play for any other NRL club prior to 2013 if he was contemplating a return.

The club has reportedly said Williams would have to return "on bended knee" and "under the club's terms and conditions".

The Daily Telegraph also said it believed a member of the Williams' camp has spoken to a Bulldogs official and one of the Kiwi's managers, Khoder Nasser, was travelling to France to check on his client's welfare.

While the NRL has banned Williams from playing league the Bulldogs believe they could persuade the game's hierarchy to reverse that decision if they needed to.

Connolly is understood to be heading to France this week to speak with Boudjellal. It is uncertain whether Connolly will interview for Umaga's role directly, or a director of rugby position within the club, but the very fact the Queenslander has been summoned to France represents a major undermining of the former All Black's authority.

The club sits in seventh place with two wins, two losses and a draw, and reports in England have suggested the enigmatic owner might attempt to poach Jonny Wilkinson from Newcastle to boost his playing stocks. Boudjellal's ire has also apparently been raised by Williams's latest injury drama.

The former Bulldog scored a try on debut against Clermont in the first round of the Top 14, but sustained a hairline leg fracture in Toulon's next match - a 3-3 draw with last-placed Brive, described by Boudjellal as "shameful".

Sources in southern France suggest Umaga has headed back to New Zealand, for family reasons, but the imminent arrival of Connolly has thrown serious doubt as to whether he will return. When contacted by the Sydney Morning Herald last night, Boudjellal denied approaching Connolly, saying only, "there is no problem [with Umaga]".

Boudjellal was similarly coy during his covert courtship of Williams, denying his club had made any contact with the former NRL star until the eve of his first training appearance at the Stade Ange Siccardi.

The departure of Umaga would be a tremendous blow for Williams if he decides to stay. The former All Blacks enforcer scouted the 23-year-old during the winter, and convinced Boudjellal to part with a reported $1.5 million a season to secure his services. Umaga has mentored Williams since his arrival.

A Toulon spokesperson last night gave no indication as to a possible return date for Williams, stating only that he "continues his strength training and working in the pool".