Sonny Bill shuns NRL to stick with the All Blacks

Sonny Bill Williams will stay with the All Blacks until late 2019, spurning offers from overseas clubs and rugby league.

All Black Sonny Bill Williams announces his three-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union

Cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams confirmed yesterday he will stay with the All Blacks until late 2019, spurning lucrative offers from overseas clubs and rugby league to chase his third World Cup title.

Williams, who is currently playing rugby sevens with hopes of snaring a medal at the Rio Olympics, said he wanted to remain part of the All Blacks’ winning culture.

“I love winning, I love the high-pressure environment. I don’t know if I could get that overseas,” the 30-year-old said.

While his athletic prowess is unquestioned, some have labelled Williams a dilettante for only signing one-year deals that let him flit between rugby union, league, sevens and even professional boxing.

The three-year contract is his longest commitment to the All Blacks and coach Steve Hansen said it would give him the chance to etch his name in rugby union’s honour roll.

“He’ll only get better and better. He could end up being one of the greats of our game,” Hansen said.

Under the deal, Williams will switch his Super Rugby allegiance from the Chiefs to the Blues, coached by former All Black great Tana Umaga.

With players such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu now gone, the All Blacks are rebuilding for their 2019 Cup defence.

The departure of Ma’a Nonu, in particular, gives Williams the chance to become New Zealand’s premier inside centre.

He said Hansen approached him late last year about being part of the leadership group that will steer the new-look team’s 2019 campaign under Kieran Read.

AFP