Rugby league: Sonny Bill Williams' Toronto Wolfpack postpone home opener

Sonny Bill Williams' Toronto Wolfpack will have to wait for their Canadian Super League launch, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wolfpack, featuring former All Blacks star Williams, are in their first season in Super League and have played the first six games of the season in England, as is customary due to the availability of their Lamport Stadium home in Toronto. 

However, with the game on hold due to the outbreak and restrictions on entry to Canada in place, the club have moved to advise their planned three-game home- stand against Hull (April 18), Wigan (April 25) and St Helens (May 2) will not happen.

"The Wolfpack are in daily consultation with the RFL, Super League and all clubs around the completion of the 2020 season, while also considering government healthcare guidance," said a Wolfpack spokesperson. 

"The RFL is currently building up a number of fixture remodelling schedues based around a restructured end of season, which maintains all Super League and Challenge Cup games.

"Toronto Wolfpack's home games scheduled for Saturday April 18 (v Hull FC), Saturday April 25 (v Wigan Warriors) and Saturday May 2 (v St Helens) will unfortunately no longer take place on those dates. The club hopes that these three games can still take place in Toronto as part of a remodelled schedule."

As has been customary for Toronto since the club's inception, large numbers of players and staff are based in the UK, with 'home' games played in back-to-back chunks throughout the season.