Sonny Bill Williams reportedly set to return to NRL after Super Rugby season

Last updated 23:45, February 25 2018

Sonny Bill Williams is reportedly set to return to the NRL at the end of the Super Rugby season after being told he is not part of the All Blacks' 2019 Rugby World Cup plans.

Jimmy Smith, who played 120 NRL games and now works as a pundit for Australia's Fox Sports, claims Williams has already done a deal to return to the Roosters ahead of this year's NRL finals.

The All Blacks midfielder won a premiership with the Roosters in 2013 and left at the end of the following season, but is known to be close with powerful club chairman Nick Politis.

While Williams is under contract with NZ Rugby until the end of 2019, Smith says the 32-year-old has been told he won't be part of the All Blacks' World Cup campaign.

"The mail is good," Smith told the Big Sports Weekend radio programme.

"From what I understand, the deal is done. It will be a short stint at the end of the Super Rugby season."

The Super Rugby final will be played on August 4, but the Roosters would need to register any NRL contract before June 30 to allow Williams to play this season.

His potential return would be a further boost for the NRL premiership favourites, who have already added big guns Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco to their squad for 2018.

According to Smith, the Roosters would use the money left in their salary cap by the departure of Mitchell Pearce to bring Williams back to the club.

 - Stuff

that's a big surprise,... seemed he was a favourite of the coaching staff

SBW is only interested in money and he is fast getting to the over-the-hill stage.   I am afraid that he will not stay in Rugby Union - since his chance s of playing for the AB's is declining rapidly.     

after having started all the AB games last season, it's a bit shocking that the coaching staff dismissed him this way,... so categorical when there are still 2 seasons before the WC,... many things can happen in 2 years time,.... injuries, overseas exodus, etc

personally I think he was one of the reasons why last season the AB didn't perform as well as the year before (other one being D. McKenzie),... and even though he improved in the EOYT making a decent defensive work with a very high sum of tackles, there are better 12s at this moment in NZ

it's too soon yet, but after watching yesterday's games I would bet for the Crotty-Goodhue dupla,.... Goodhue was superb managing the saders attack and even though he failed some tackles he's one of the best defensive centers, if not the best,...

ABF

I know you are going to scream at me about this one.   I l;ike Goodhue a lot - but think Crotty is a bit pedestrian - not the player to look at.   I would rather have a center combination of Goodhue and Laumape - that would be a deadly one in my book.  

Lol your all falling for this fake news. NZ Rugby and Roosters Ceo all confirmed today the story is a fabrication. You really think the guy who started 13 tests. Whos clearly the AB incumbant at 12 was told "Your not needed". Come on. No way is Goodhue starting for the abs. Guys too green atm

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