Cronulla captain Paul Gallen thinks there’s a place in the NRL for All Black Sonny Bill William, despite the former Bulldog walking out on the sport in 2008.
Williams caused outrage in league circles when he left the Bulldogs to take up a lucrative deal with French rugby club Toulon.
He has signed a one-year deal with the NZRU, and is tipped to return to the NRL in 2013.
Gallen understands there’s a lot of acrimony among league supporters towards Williams, but says the pros would outweigh the cons should he return.
"The way he departed, that was his decision and it's going to be spoken about for a long time when he does come back," Gallen says.
"But he's a great athlete and I certainly believe he deserves a chance back in the NRL.
"He would have no problems coming back and he's the type of guy who attracts crowds and attracts people to the game."
"I can't see it being a bad thing, him coming back to rugby league."
Williams spent just over two years in France before returning to his home country, New Zealand, to link with Super Rugby's most successful franchise, the Crusaders, last year.
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