Rugby News

One of the men who terrorised Ireland in Hamilton, Sonny Bill Williams, is rumoured to be about to switch back to playing rugby league.

On Saturday, Ireland were mauled 60-0 by New Zealand. While we bemoaned the long season, tired limbs and injuries, the local press were lauding centre Sonny Bill Williams for his best ever performance in black.

In his 19^th game for the All Blacks, Williams scored two tries, and at 26 there were hopes in New Zealand that he was finally establishing himself as a regular for the world champions.

Those hopes are now out the window as Williams is expected to announce he will be returning to his first sport, rugby league, with Sydney, tomorrow, according to reports in the New Zealand press. Williams spent four years as rugby league player from 2004 until 2008 when he joined French Top 14 side Toulon.

He only played for the All Blacks once he returned home and signed for the Crusaders in 2010. Of course, in the interim, Williams also took up boxing, winning the New Zealand heavyweight title earlier this year and his pro record is 5-0 in that sport.

Now he looks set to leave New Zealand, and the All Blacks, for Australia, with a small spell playing Union in Japan in between.

There are no shortage of talented backs who can slot into the New Zealand team so Steve Hansen may not be too upset but it is a shame he can’t just pick one sport and be excellent at it rather than being very good at a few.

At least Paddy Wallace, and the rest of the Irish defence, won’t have to run into him again. Unless he switches back once more.