SBW set for Blues

But the overriding reason Williams is thought to be keen on the Blues is he feels they need him more.

Umaga's relationship, having worked with Williams at Toulon and Counties Manukau, plays another part. Umaga and Blues assistant coach Alistair Rogers were in Sydney this week as part of a reciprocal arrangement with the NSW rugby league team - and there have been suggestions of a meeting with Williams there. 

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has also met several times recently with Williams and Nasser, and chief executive Andrew Flexman felt his franchise had done all they could to secure their man.

"We've put absolutely our best foot forward and done everything we can to hopefully make the Chiefs compelling for Sonny. And now it's largely beyond our control, to a degree," he said.

Asked if he thought it was a 50/50 chance of Williams picking the Chiefs, Flexman said "that's probably a reasonably fair assessment of it", fully aware of what attractions the Blues would have for Williams, despite him having won a title and enjoyed the Chiefs environment.

There's also the fact that Wayne Smith - who was a huge factor in luring Williams to the Chiefs last time - is no longer there, and Rennie is set to depart after next season.

"I have no doubt, knowing the man, that he'll feel a degree of loyalty," Flexman said. "But loyalty only goes so far. It's obviously what he feels is the best situation for him and his family. That whole situation's changed a little bit too, with him being a father to a young child now, and the responsibilities that go with that, so I have no doubt that having family presence in Auckland is a consideration for him as well.

"He may well see the Blues as a compelling challenge for him, given their relative standing in Super Rugby at the moment.

"All I can really say is we know that we'd do a great job with him in our environment, we've proven that in the past, and we'd back ourselves to get the best out of him."

Ngatai signs on for two years

Sonny Blue Williams. That's a tinge his extended family and certainly the patient franchise supporters have been championing for some time.

Will SBW's arrival at Eden Park encourage others to change their Super rugby allegiance and will his move alter the Blues fortunes? Those issues will play out over the next three seasons if SBW's frame hangs together.

He's flitted around the rugby scene but this deal will allow the Auckland-born midfield back to settle into a senior role with the Blues who will hope that talent still flourishes.

Imagine the sort of backline they can select now without any more signings.

Agustine Pulu, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, SBW, Rene Ranger, George Moala and Reiko Ioane. That's some firepower to tack on to the forwards who have been doing the business.

That Blues backline looks to have some substance. It's not an ingredient which has provoked automatic thoughts about the Blues in recent seasons but this year you can distinguish some backbone about their work.

It showed in their attitude towards defence against the Crusaders where they hung in even though they were underdone on possession. When they had the pill there was still a diffidence about some of the decisions.

Pulu will make a difference in variety from halfback and beyond that SBW will provide another weapon to dent the opposition. Unless another five-eighths decides to hitch his talent to the new Blues caravan, West will wear the No 10 jersey.

Either side of him, Pulu and SBW can offer guidance so there is better match management to unfurl that muscle and pomp in the back four.

SBW will be 31 in August and the oldest in the Blues and All Black backlines.

It's no issue yet as he looks in superb condition and remains one of the more assiduous trainers in the sport. He looks after his physical and mental health with a variety of cross-training based around his family life.

There has been some noise about a problem knee which blows up from time-to-time and does not react favourably to long-distance travel. SBW's schedule will need to be managed and there may be a niggle or two about sevens and boxing.

But this is a big signing for the Blues and another sign of the bond between SBW and coach Tana Umaga.

This is not flaky like the Benji Marshall signing. This is a coup for the Blues and their fans who have been bereft of much warmth since their 2003 success. Will it deliver similar results? No idea but it will ramp up attention on Eden Park and what the Blues might achieve.

- NZ Herald