Williams offered three-year NZ rugby deal

[blueandblack]

Chiefs Super Rugby coach Dave Rennie continues to keep a place open in his team for Sonny Bill Williams but he doesn't know if the rugby league star will accept an offer tabled to return next year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has offered Williams a three-year contract, with a proposal that the 28-year-old see out his NRL season with the Roosters, play in the rugby league World Cup and then return to Hamilton next year to renew his ties with the Chiefs.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew told New Zealand's Herald on Sunday that Williams' ultimate preference is to play for the Chiefs and be part of the All Blacks campaign at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

There is flexibility in the offer made to Williams, potentially allowing the multi-skilled sports star to return to the Chiefs in 2015, as long as he signs well in advance to do so.

While Rennie expects Williams to return to the two-time defending Super Rugby champions, he remains uncertain whether it will be next year.

He expects to hear from Williams next month and says there are provisions in his squad selection for the 19-Test midfield back to play in 2014.

"Obviously we've held a position open for him and there's plenty of time for us to see what happens," Rennie told the Waikato Times.

"Sonny's his own man and he'll make that decision a little bit clearer later next month."

[PeterM]

SBW is a truly gifted sportsmen and it would be good to see him playing for the AB's again.
That being said there is something that doesn't sit right for me with players chopping and changing just because they can I for one like to see loyalty

[jargan83]

I for one like to see loyalty

SBW is loyal to the mighty dollar

[The InnFORCEr]

At least they have made him an offer he can seriously consider, will allow him to play the RLWC, and then get him back to the Waikato for Chiefs and ABs, probably even allows for a boxing match or two, an offer to good to refuse IMHO.

[beige]

The RLIF is still to decide whether it will allow Williams (and Benji Marshall) to play at the World Cup if he goes to rugby I think.

[shasta]

The RLIF is still to decide whether it will allow Williams (and Benji Marshall) to play at the World Cup if he goes to rugby I think.

They, like nearly every club, League and Union will decide in favour whichever outcome is the biggest earn. It's a business after all. Players are still expected to put that in second place somehow. I reckon they should do what helps them achieve THEIR goals. Whatever they are
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[palitu]

i have to admit, there is probably little difference to play at subi v NIB.