The National Rugby League says they'll support the Bulldogs in any legal action to stop its star player Sonny Bill Williams from moving to Europe.
Williams has walked out on the Sydney club to take up a rugby union contract with French side Toulon believed to be worth $3 million over two years.
The 22-year-old Kiwi is in the first year of a five-year contract with the Bulldogs and was due to play on Sunday against St George-Illawarra.
The club has the support of NRL chief executive David Gallop, who says the move by Williams is unacceptable.
After Williams's sensational walkout from the Bulldogs at the weekend, Gallop says the future of both codes depends on the IRB's response because Williams is clearly breaking his contract.
Gallop says the International Rugby Board must step in or else they'll be condoning a form of international piracy.
He says the door is also closed to Williams's NRL career, even if the Kiwi were to return to Australia and wanted to play for another club.
