Super Rugby
NZRU roll out red carpet for Sonny Bill
August 11, 2013
Sydney Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams, Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles, National Rugby League, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, July 1, 2013
Sonny Bill Williams may be in a Sydney Roosters jersey for 2014 after a flexible offer from the NZRU © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Sonny Bill Williams has been offered a red carpet ride back to rugby without having to quit the National Rugby League (NRL) for another 12 months.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has presented Williams with a lucrative three-year deal starting 2015 - the year the All Blacks defend the World Cup in England.

Under the terms of the contract, Williams could play another NRL season with the Roosters before returning to the 15-man game. Or he may make the jump next year and re-join Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs before attempting to win back his New Zealand Test jumper.

Williams played 19 Tests for the All Blacks before honouring a pledge made to Roosters chairman Nick Politis to play for the club this year. But he has made no secret of his desire to return to New Zealand rugby. There is also a possibility he could represent the Kiwis in sevens at the Olympic Games in 2016.

"We have made Sonny and (Williams' manager) Khoder (Nasser) an offer," NZRU CEO Steve Tew confirmed on Sunday. "We have been talking to them and the dialogue has been positive but we don't have any ink on paper."

"We would obviously love Sonny to come back and play rugby here, and we have made that clear - it is up to Sonny and Khoder (Nasser) now."

© Sportal

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices