An Australian judge has warned Sonny Bill Williams

08-08-2008 16:48

An Australian judge has warned Williams he will be in contempt of court if he plays for Toulon.

Sonny Bill Williams has walked out on a five-year deal with Canterbury.

The Bulldogs and the league are taking legal action against the 23-year-old.

Williams had been expected to make his union debut for Toulon in a friendly against Carque-Hyeres on Friday.

The court papers were reportedly served on Williams by being thrown over a fence onto Toulon's training ground, but the player was not represented at the court hearing in New South Wales.

The National Rugby League (NRL) chief executive David Gallop said the issue, which has provoked outcry in Australia amid fears that rugby league's top stars could become the target of a spending spree by rich European union clubs, highlighted the importance of contracts in sport.