Sonny Bill Williams is to return to rugby and play for the Chiefs - but not until 2015.
Williams has told the New Zealand Rugby Union that he will stay with the Sydney Roosters for another season after winning the National Rugby League grand final with them at the weekend.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie met with Williams in Sydney on Thursday in a last-ditch attempt to try and persuade him to return in 2014.
Rennie says it was a difficult decision for Williams to make but he has given them an undertaking he will return to the Chiefs in 2015 in a bid to make the World Cup squad and the Olympics Sevens side the following year.
