Sonny Bill Williams will play NPC rugby for Counties Manukau next week, 12 days after his Roosters side was knocked out of the NRL finals series.
Sonny Bill Williams has put an end to all the speculation and will make his return to rugby for Counties Manukau next Wednesday.
The Counties Manukau Rugby Union have confirmed Williams will make his much anticipated Steelers’ debut – and return to rugby after a two-year stint for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL – against Auckland in a national provincial championship match in Pukekohe next Wednesday night.
The union will officially announce today that the 29-year-old will play in the Steelers’ final two matches of the season – against Auckland and Tasman – despite his contract with the NPC side only starting next year.
But unless injuries strike, Williams won’t make his comeback for the All Blacks until the end of year tour to the United States and Europe.
Stuff NZ
The Roosters’ exit from the NRL finals on Friday sparked talk he could then make his first appearance for the All Blacks since August 2012 in the third Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane on October 18.
But it is understood that unless second five-eighths Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty went down injured, Williams, capped 19 times for the All Blacks, will be given time before being thrust back into the international arena.
The All Blacks’ end of year tour starts against the United States at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 2.
Counties Manukau chief executive Andrew Maddock said Williams’ arrival in Pukekohe ahead of schedule – and just 12 days after playing in rugby league’s premier club competition – will be another exciting chapter for the union, which secured its premiership status for another year after walloping Wellington 55-7 on Saturday.
“It is great news for our fans, sponsors and union that he will play (NPC) this season when he was not expected to join us till next season,” he said.
“This just shows how dedicated he is to immersing himself back into rugby and gaining the respect of his new team and supporters.”
There had been widespread peculation of Williams’ return to rugby but until today, there had been no official word of when he would play.
New Zealand Rugby had already made an exception for Williams meaning he would not have to play for Counties Manukau to be selected on the All Blacks’ end of season tour.
Chief executive Steve Tew recently said they expected him to play NPC rugby but “that is dependent on how the Roosters do in the NRL.”
Having previously ruled out the code-hopping superstar, Counties coach Tana Umaga softened his stance after his side’s win against Wellington, saying he “wouldn’t be surprised” if it happened.
Before confirmation of Williams’ signing, Umaga was yesterday excited about the prospect of being able to select his former Toulon team-mate.
“It would be awesome,” he said.
“Knowing Sonny and the man he is, he would want to do it the right way. He likes to gain the respect of people.”
Umaga admitted his presence will help boost the crowd figures which have steadily decreased since they lost the Ranfurly Shield to Hawke’s Bay last month.
“I would say we would get a bit more people here than we got [on Saturday] so as a small union, we can always use that,” he said.
With three games remaining this season, Counties Manukau are six points out of the playoffs in the top-tier premiership.