Sonny Bill Williams

Tana Umaga

Code-hopping star Sonny Bill Williams will reunite with his former Toulon coach Tana Umaga when he returns to New Zealand rugby next year from rugby league.

Williams, who has played for New Zealand at both rugby and league World Cups, has signed a two year deal to play for Counties Manukau, coached by Umaga, in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championships. He has previously signed to play Super Rugby for the Hamilton-based Chiefs.

Sport24

Umaga was instrumental in luring Williams from Australia’s National Rugby League to Toulon in 2008. Williams became an All Black in 2010 and played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup before returning to league the following year.

He has played two NRL seasons with the Sydney Roosters but will return to rugby with the aim of playing at next year’s Rugby World Cup.