New York Freedom pull off Tony Williams coup

New York Freedom have signed former Australia and Tonga international Tony Williams for the inaugural North American Rugby League season.

The 32-year-old has made 170 NRL appearances for Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles, Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks.

Williams has won five caps for Tonga and three for Australia. He also played for New South Wales three times in State of Origin.

READ: The 14 teams taking part in the new North American Rugby League competition

A New York statement read: “Tony brings to New York Freedom a wealth of knowledge, skill, passion for the game and will be an excellent mentor for our younger and less experienced players.

“He’s been an absolute gun down under, now let’s see what the T-Rex can do in the USA.”

New York will compete in the North American Rugby League, a 14-team competition which starts its first ever season on the weekend of June 19-20.

Williams is the latest of a number of high-profile signings in the NARL, with former NRL and Super League stars Eddy Pettybourne and Constantine Mika joining Brooklyn Kings.

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