Super Rugby
Tim Nanai Williams will put Chiefs before Samoa
ESPN Staff
January 20, 2015
Tim Nanai-Williams has played 68 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs © Getty Images
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Tim Nanai-Williams will have to choose club over country later this year, meaning he will miss the historic Test between New Zealand and Samoa if the Chiefs run deep in the Super Rugby play-offs in July.

Nanai-Williams, 25, is pursuing a loophole through the HSBC Sevens World Series that will allow him to play for Samoa at the Rugby World Cup because his parents were born in the islands. But Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made it clear that Nanai-Williams will put his franchise first in the event of a clash as they will still be in the Super Rugby window.

"We have given him the opportunity to play a couple of Sevens tournaments already," Rennie said. "He's probably going to play in Wellington. He'll probably go to Glasgow on our bye week, and that allows him to go to the World Cup with Samoa. But ultimately if we are in the play-offs, his commitment is here."

Nanai-Williams is happy with the arrangement as he chases a third Super Rugby title with the Chiefs.

"I need to do my work here before I go anywhere else," the backline utility said. "These guys are calling the shots and I'm signed here until the campaign is finished. They have given me the opportunity to go and qualify for Samoa so for me to turn around and say I don't want to play the last game would be a slap in the face."

Nanai-Williams, who has played 68 games for the franchise, considering his future with a number of overseas clubs chasing his services.

"I'm just having a look with my agent at the moment and trying to figure out what I want to do over the next couple of years," he said. "All rugby players are looking for the best options offshore and if my family is happy I'm happy."

© AAP

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