Super Rugby
Crusaders fighting to hold on to SBW
ESPNscrum Staff
June 12, 2011
The Crusaders' Sonny Bill Williams looks for an opening, Reds v Crusaders, Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia, May 29, 2011
Sonny Bill Williams has been a huge success in union since switching codes in 2008 © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Sonny Bill Williams
Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder has admitted the club is doing all it can to hold on to midfield ace Sonny Bill Williams.

All Blacks centre Williams, whose contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union expries at the end of the season, is one of the most coveted players in union and is also the subject of much interest from league. Blackadder, though, is hopeful that he will be able to persuade Williams to remain in Canterbury.

"We are working really hard on keeping him as a Crusader and we would like to think he will stay with the Crusaders next year," Blackadder is quoted as saying by the Dominion Post.

"We are talking to Sonny and his agent - we are meeting with Khoder [Williams' agent Khoder Nasser] in a couple of weeks to have a good discussion about next season."

Meanwhile, Blackadder confirmed that Williams, who suffered a rib injury in Saturday's win over the Blues, will be available for this weekend's clash with the Hurricanes. In a further boost for the Blues, winger Sean Maitland is in line to make his return to action after a stint on the sidelines with a foot injury.

"He could be right for next week (against the Hurricanes). He was 50-50 before the Blues game but we decided he just wasn't quite right," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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