The Bulldogs will find out just hours before Sonny Bill Williams' proposed rugby union debut if they have been successful in gaining the injunction needed to block his defection from the NRL.

Williams' signing with French club Toulon has been made official, the former Kiwi Test star agreeing to a one-year deal with an option for a second season.

This despite having four years left on his contract with the Bulldogs.

NSW Supreme Court Justice Robert Austin granted leave for lawyers to serve documents to associates of Williams as substitutes, following failed attempts last week to serve the runaway rugby league star directly.

"The judge ruled today that because he's evaded (being served with the subpoena) for so long he's obviously doing it for a reason, and we can have what is called substitute of service which means you can put it onto someone else," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

"We're now serving the subpoena via text message via the Toulon club and via his address in Sydney.

"The idea is that we go back into court Friday morning seeking an injunction, and then if he decides to play in the face of the injunction then he can be up for some serious penalties."

The Bulldogs and the NRL are hoping to have an injunction in place before Williams's proposed debut against Hyeres on Friday night, early Saturday morning Australian time.

The lawyer acting for the NRL, Tony O'Reilly, said the legal teams were happy with the result in court, claiming Williams had left them with no alternative.

"People who don't have anything to hide are usually easy to serve," O'Reilly told reporters.

"We've spent a lot of time and effort and a lot of long nights dealing with ... trying to find out where he is."

Williams is due to emerge from hiding in the next couple of days, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal claiming the new signing would be at Hyeres' Stade du Pyanet ground in some capacity Friday.

"He'll be at the very least in the stadium, or better on the team sheet," Boudjellal told AFP.

"(He) has confirmed his complete desire to finish with rugby league to switch over to union."

Boudjellal seemed unperturbed by the threat of legal action.

"Our problem is: Is Williams under contract with another rugby union side? The answer is no," Boudjellal said.

"Therefore he's free to join with whoever he wants, he doesn't need a letter to leave."

Williams' signing with Toulon means it's no longer just the player in the Bulldogs' sights.

The NRL club today also began legal action against his alleged manager Khoder Nasser and the Toulon club, whom they accuse of inducing Williams to breach his contract.

"It's about taking action against people who have induced a breach of contract, where that leads I'm not sure," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

"That's the first part of the process."

Asked if the NSW Supreme Court had recognised Nasser was acting as Williams' manager, Greenberg said:

"Not yet, that's part of the next process we're working towards."

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