Having previously ruled out Sonny Bill Williams playing for Counties Manukau this year, coach Tana Umaga has softened his stance saying he ''wouldn't be surprised'' if it happened.
Following the Roosters being knocked out of the NRL playoffs on Friday night, there has been widespread media speculation of Williams' return to rugby but there has been no official word of if or when he would play.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has 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 national provincial championship rugby but ''that is dependent on how the Roosters do in the NRL''.
Following the Steelers' 55-7 win over Wellington on Saturday, Umaga was excited about the prospect of being able to select his former Toulon team-mate.
''It would be awesome,'' he said.
''As has always been the case, it is just a wait and see and wait until we are are contacted.
''Knowing Sonny and the man he is, he would want to do it the right way. He likes to gain the respect of people, I wouldn't be surprised if I got a call at some stage to say he might be coming over, well, I am hoping.''
Umaga admitted his presence would 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 few 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.
They are a long-shot to make the top four but the potential presence of Williams and some boosted crowd numbers could be just what the team needs to make an unlikely late-season title drive.
- Stuff
