NRL 2020: Sonny Bill Williams 'travelling home', increasing speculation of Sydney Roosters return

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams has announced he's "travelling home" with a return to the NRL likely.

Williams has been linked to Sydney Roosters, after his Toronto Wolfpack club withdrew from the English Super League competition on Tuesday (NZ time), due to the "overwhelming financial challenges" posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Instagram, the 34-year-old cross-code star says he can't wait to return home, although it's unclear where 'home' is at this stage. 

"It's been a crazy few days in our household," he says. "One minute, we're settling the kids into schools over here & the next minute we're travelling home. 

"No matter what the next chapter holds, as long as we have Allah in our hearts, we'll be fine."

Williams must overcome some hurdles, before he can sign with the two-time defending NRL champions - he would need to be released from his Wolfpack contract, while he would need approval from Australian Border Force authority to enter Australia. 

He isn't an Australian citizen, although wife Alana holds an Australian passport and two of his four children were born there.

If he gets clearance, he would also need to quarantine for two weeks and he hasn't played rugby league since March, so would likely require a couple of weeks to get match fit. 

On Friday, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he was confident of signing Williams before the August 3 mid-season signings deadline.

Williams played 45 games under Robinson at the 'Tri-Colours' between 2013-14. 

"We're down the track in discussions with Sonny," says Robinson. "There's a few things that need to be done to get it sorted, but conversations are clear - it's just all the details that need to get sorted with how it's going to work.

"Travel won't be until next week - it's hard to get flights back - and then a quarantine period and training period.

"It is going to be towards the back end with four or five games to go, that would be the earliest I would think.

"He's a Rooster and he's going to add value in some key areas."

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