1 Oct 2014

SBW to join Counties on Monday

11:30 am on 1 October 2014

Dual international Sonny Bill Williams will return to rugby with the Counties Manukau Steelers next Monday, and will play for the Steelers for their final two ITM Cup matches this season.

His first game for the Steelers will be against Auckland in Pukekohe next Wednesday, October the 8th, and then he will wear the red, black and white again the following Sunday against Tasman in Blenheim.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to return to the All Blacks for the end of year tour.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to return to the All Blacks for the end of year tour. Photo: Photosport

Counties Manukau CEO Andrew Maddock says this is another exciting chapter for Counties Manukau Rugby and they're rapt that an athlete of Williams' caliber has chosen to join the Steelers.

Maddock says it's great news for their fans, sponsors and union that Williams will play ITM Cup this season when he was not expected to join us till next year.

Williams' Sydney Roosters were beaten in the NRL play-offs last Friday.

He was part of the 2011 World Cup winning All Blacks, the 2011 Super Rugby Champion Chiefs side, the 2011 ITM Cup winning Canterbury side and a 2013 NRL Grand Final winner.

Williams is expected to go on the All Blacks end of year tour of Europe.

He has signed a two-year deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs from 2015, but the union last month approved an exemption under their eligibility rules to allow him to be selected for the All Blacks' season-ending tour to the United States and Britain.