Toronto Wolfpack

Last November Williams signed a two year deal with the Wolfpack for a reported 10 million dollars.

The Wolfpack pulled out of this year's competition in July citing financial challenges from the Covid-19 outbreak, having failed to pay players, coaches and staff for several months.

New owner Carlo LiVolsi offered to underwrite the club's losses, but his plans were rejected at a meeting of the Super League clubs.

The New Zealand great, who began his professional rugby career with the Canterbury Bulldogs, switched codes again last year when he left the Blues to join Toronto ahead of their inaugural Super League season.

Twice a World Cup winner with the All Blacks, Williams was unable to help the Wolfpack avoid a 28-10 defeat to Castleford Tigers in their opening match of 2020.

The Wolfpack, who won last year's League One competition in England and are leading the second-tier Championship league, have global ambitions and this week confirmed the signing of Darcy Lussick from Manly after he turned down approaches from rival NRL clubs.

Wolfpack director of rugby, Brian Noble, told NRL.com that Toronto was keen to host an NRL club and said there would be strong local interest for a match between the Ontario-based franchise and a team from Australia or New Zealand.

The Rugby Football League caused a stir by offering the defunct Bulls the chance to stay in the second tier of the professional game under new ownership rather than starting at the bottom of the pyramid, as the Wolfpack are doing in League 1.

The Canadian newcomers are gearing up for the start of the season in March, using training facilities in West Yorkshire, but Rowley says they would be keen to start in the Championship if the opportunity arose.

"We weren't sounded out and nor were any of the Cumbrian clubs," Rowley told Press Association Sport.