In less than a week, the most anticipated return in rugby league history is yet to happen but Sonny Bill Williams awaits NRL registration of his contract. The one-year deal of Williams with Sydney Roosters has yet to be ratified by the salary cap auditor Ian Schubert and there are fears that the star rugby player may not take his place for the season opener against South Sydney on Thursday night.

Brian Canavan described Williams' signed contract as "vanilla" in November; however, it appears the club has more work to do to placate Schubert.

"We are waiting for some information that has been requested from the club. Everyone is aware of the need to process this as soon as possible." quoted by smh.com.au of a statement from NRL spokesman John Brady.

Williams was not featured in the NRL's advertising campaign which was officially launched on Wednesday night at Star. Signed statutory declarations from Clubs that comply with salary cap have a Friday submission deadline.

Williams has been known in the rugby league union for his ability to offload the ball in the tackle and in the rugby league for his shoulder charges. He also signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union in an ultimately successful bid to play for the All Blacks at the 2011 Rugby Union Cup.

But Williams has been involved in a number of controversies off the field. Back in 2008, a circumstance in which he left the Bulldogs created a media debate in Australia and New Zealand and became the subject of considerable criticism for the departure that was describe as "the greatest act of treachery in the game's history."

On August 2005, Williams was charged with drink driving and the Bulldogs fined him $5,000 over the incident, and he later appeared at Waverley Local Court on September 2005. He was convicted of drunk driving.

Two years later, on June 2007, Williams was caught in a toilet scandal with Australian model Candice Falzon. A photo was captured by a mobile phone showing the pair exiting a toilet cubicle at Sydney's Clovelly Hotel and was published on the Daily Telegraph Web site.

Sonny Bill Williams is expected to return for the 2013 NRL Season, and NRL chief executive Dave Smith has acknowledged his importance for the upcoming season. NRL's contracting system is under scrutiny and caused delays to Israel Folau's Parramatta who leads Folau to sign with the Waratahs.

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