Sonny Bill Williams is set to challenge the validity of the National Rugby League's salary cap, in a move which could have major ramifications for Australia's four football codes.
Fairfax newspapers report the Bulldogs and Kiwis star approached a leading Sydney barrister before he left to take up a multi-million rugby deal in France, to prepare a legal strategy which challenged the ceiling on player payments.
If Williams was successful it could open a pandora's box for rugby league, rugby union, soccer and AFL in Australia because all the codes rely on salary caps to restrain player payments.
Fairfax says Williams's lawyers will argue that the Bulldogs could pay more than the $450,000 per season he currently earns but is prevented from doing so by NRL rules that create salary parity across its 16 clubs.
Williams was subpoenaed to appear in the NSW Supreme Court court next Tuesday in the first step towards a possible injunction on him walking out on the NRL club.
He's currently in London, lying low and possibly about to commence negotiations with the Tana Umaga-coached Toulon club.
