New Zealand
Sonny Bill's secret meetings with Chiefs
ESPN Staff
October 11, 2013
Chiefs centre Sonny Bill Williams acknowledges the crowd, Chiefs v Sharks, Super Rugby Final, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand, August 4, 2012
Sonny Bill Williams looks to be returning to Chiefs colours but not until 2015 © Getty Images
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Shoehorned into the Kiwis team on Wednesday for the Rugby League World Cup, Sonny Bill Williams on Thursday began negotiations with the Chiefs for a Super Rugby contract.

New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed that Williams and manager Khoder Nasser met with Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, assistant coach Wayne Smith and the NZRU's general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorenson in Sydney.

No details had been finalised, and no further comment was available, an NZRU spokeswoman told NZ Newswire. Williams was a notable omission when the Kiwis' original 24-man World Cup squad was named on Tuesday, after he told coach Stephen Kearney he was unavailable because of "other commitments". His subsequent selection led to young Melbourne Storm back-rower Tohu Harris being dropped to make way.

Williams, 28, played seven Tests for the Kiwis before his controversial departure from the Canterbury Bulldogs in mid-2008 to switch to rugby in France. He went on to become part of the All Blacks' rugby World Cup-winning campaign in 2011. He also won a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs last year and had a key part in the Roosters' NRL grand final victory on Sunday.

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