New Zealand dual-code international Sonny Bill
Williams plans to return to rugby union in 2015 in
time for the Rugby World Cup.
The 28-year-old recently turned down a three-year deal
from New Zealand Rugby Union in favour of another
year with rugby league side Sydney Roosters.
"I told the Roosters this is probably my last year," he
told Fairfax Media.
"My intentions are to try to go back after next year and
force my way into the All Blacks squad."
Williams, who is also New Zealand's heavyweight boxing
champion, won the National Rugby League (NRL)
with the Roosters last season and says the chance to
help them become the first side since Brisbane in 1993
to successfully defend the title persuaded him to delay
his departure from the 13-man code.
"A major factor in my desire to play next year was to
try to go back to back, because it hasn't been done for
so long," he added.
"I know it will be hard for me to force my way back
into the New Zealand rugby [union] set-up, but
[another season in NRL] was just something I felt was
right and I just went with my heart in the end.
"I decided that I wanted to stay with the boys because
it is tough leaving when you are a part of the start of a
successful thing.''
Although New Zealand Rugby general manager Neil
Sorensen had described Williams' decision to turn
down their three-year offer as "disappointing", All
Blacks coach Steve Hansen admitted the centre would
be "very hard to leave out" of his side's world title
defence in England in September 2015.
Williams may have to displace either Ma'a Nonu or
Conrad Smith for a starting berth however. The centres
started a world-record 51st Test together in this
month's Rugby Championship decider against South
Africa.
"He wants to play in the World Cup so that means he
has to come back and play Super 15 in 2015 and he'll
be like everyone else in that competition," Hansen told
RadioLive.
"Everyone will be eligible to be selected for the All
Blacks if they play well enough and, if he's in the form
we know he can produce, he'll be very hard to leave
out."
Williams was lured to union in 2008 by French club
side Toulon, before returning to his native New Zealand
in 2010 to play with Super 15 side the Crusaders.
He made his All Blacks debut in the 26-16 win over
England in November of that year and has won another
18 caps including an appearance as a replacement in
the World Cup final win over France in 2011.
A stint in Japanese club rugby preceded his return to
league for the 2013 NRL season with the Roosters. This
month he was a late addition to the Kiwi squad for their
Rugby League World Cup defence in England and
Wales, having initially said he was unavailable.
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