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The next dotted line leads straight to Williams' nation of choice
Brad Walter | June 9, 2009
SONNY BILL Williams' next contract is set to determine which country he plays for in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Less than a year after walking out on the Bulldogs, Williams has the world at his feet, with up to four countries - including Australia - potentially vying for his services in the tournament.
Having recently re-signed with Toulon for one more year, he is expected to field offers from Australian and New Zealand Super rugby franchises, as well as cashed-up European clubs.
Where Williams chooses to play will almost certainly determine what country he represents, as the 23-year-old is eligible for Australia and Samoa, as well as his native New Zealand, and would also be available for France if he signed for a third season in the French Top 14 competition.
Born and raised in Auckland, the former Kiwis league star grew up aspiring to represent New Zealand in either code and turned down the opportunity to play State of Origin for NSW while at the Bulldogs.
But he did play for the NSW under-19s team in 2003 and, after moving to Sydney when recruited by the Bulldogs as a 15-year-old, Williams has spent about one-third of his life in Australia.
With most of his family living in Sydney, he now considers the city home and will return here after a brief trip to New Zealand before heading back to France for a summer break before pre-season training begins.
In addition, he also qualifies to play for the Wallabies through his maternal grandmother, who was born and lived in Sydney before marrying his late grandfather Bill Woolsey, once an Auckland league legend.
As evidenced by the 40,000 crowd that turned up for Williams' first rugby union match in Australia for the Barbarians against the Wallabies on Saturday night at the SFS, he would be a massive drawcard should the Waratahs sign him.
The Queensland Reds have also expressed an interest in talking to Williams, while he is certain to be a target for the new Australian franchise due to enter the expanded Super competition in 2011 if he wanted to make himself available.
Yet there would be some explaining to do at NZRU headquarters if a player with his obvious talents and youth was allowed to slip the net and lined up for Australia at the next World Cup, being hosted by New Zealand.
There is speculation the NZRU could try to lure him with an offer of playing for the Junior All Blacks when the French season ends next year before inviting him on the 2010 end-of-season All Blacks tour.
Williams also has Samoan heritage through his father, John, and would be free to play for Samoa if he remained in Europe.
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