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Sonny Bill joins Roosters in NRL return
The worst kept secret in rugby league has finally been confirmed, with the announcement that former All Black rugby union international Sonny Bill Williams has returned to the NRL to join the Sydney Roosters.
He has signed a one year deal with the Roosters commencing in 2013.
The controversial 27-year-old was rumoured to be heading to Bondi Junction ever since he announced earlier this year that he was leaving rugby union in New Zealand to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, before joining an unnamed NRL club in 2013.
The confirmation marks Williams's return to the sport where he made his name.
In 2004 he made his first-grade debut for the Bulldogs at 18, and he made his international debut the same year when selected for New Zealand in the Anzac Day Test match against Australia.
He played in a Premiership side in his first season as the Bulldogs defeated the Roosters 16-13 in the Grand Final.
In 2007 he re-signed with the Bulldogs for five years, but Williams caused a storm of controversy when he walked out on that contract just 18 months later, switching codes to play rugby union for French Top 14 side Toulon.
He played in France for three years before opting to take a sizeable pay cut to play Super Rugby in New Zealand for the Crusaders - and later for the Chiefs - citing a desire to play for the All Blacks.
The move paid off, with Williams playing in 19 Tests for New Zealand, including a number of appearances in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup triumph in 2011.
He continued to play in internationals in 2012, making a big impact in New Zealand's home series against Ireland, and scoring against the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney in August.
In July, he announced he would quit the All Blacks to fulfil a handshake agreement made several years ago to return to the NRL in 2013.
His contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union expired after he was part of the Chiefs' first Super Rugby title win.
His short-term stint with the Wild Knights hit a snag when he sustained a pectoral injury during a game in late October which required chest surgery.
Williams tweeted on October 31 that the surgery had been successful, but there were concerns that he might be out of action for a couple of months.
But this morning's announcement shows Williams's medical prognosis is good enough to satisfy the Roosters to invest in the New Zealander for next season.
A hard-running, hard-hitting centre or second-row, Williams will provide attacking options for the Roosters and new coach Trent Robinson.
Williams has also made headlines with a heavyweight boxing career.
He was due to fight South African boxer Francois Botha in Brisbane on November 24, but that bout was put in doubt after succumbing to his pectoral injury.
Sonny Bill joins Roosters in NRL return
The worst kept secret in rugby league has finally been confirmed, with the announcement that former All Black rugby union international Sonny Bill Williams has returned to the NRL to join the Sydney Roosters.
He has signed a one year deal with the Roosters commencing in 2013.
The controversial 27-year-old was rumoured to be heading to Bondi Junction ever since he announced earlier this year that he was leaving rugby union in New Zealand to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, before joining an unnamed NRL club in 2013.
The confirmation marks Williams's return to the sport where he made his name.
In 2004 he made his first-grade debut for the Bulldogs at 18, and he made his international debut the same year when selected for New Zealand in the Anzac Day Test match against Australia.
He played in a Premiership side in his first season as the Bulldogs defeated the Roosters 16-13 in the Grand Final.
In 2007 he re-signed with the Bulldogs for five years, but Williams caused a storm of controversy when he walked out on that contract just 18 months later, switching codes to play rugby union for French Top 14 side Toulon.
He played in France for three years before opting to take a sizeable pay cut to play Super Rugby in New Zealand for the Crusaders - and later for the Chiefs - citing a desire to play for the All Blacks.
The move paid off, with Williams playing in 19 Tests for New Zealand, including a number of appearances in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup triumph in 2011.
He continued to play in internationals in 2012, making a big impact in New Zealand's home series against Ireland, and scoring against the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney in August.
In July, he announced he would quit the All Blacks to fulfil a handshake agreement made several years ago to return to the NRL in 2013.
His contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union expired after he was part of the Chiefs' first Super Rugby title win.
His short-term stint with the Wild Knights hit a snag when he sustained a pectoral injury during a game in late October which required chest surgery.
Williams tweeted on October 31 that the surgery had been successful, but there were concerns that he might be out of action for a couple of months.
But this morning's announcement shows Williams's medical prognosis is good enough to satisfy the Roosters to invest in the New Zealander for next season.
A hard-running, hard-hitting centre or second-row, Williams will provide attacking options for the Roosters and new coach Trent Robinson.
Williams has also made headlines with a heavyweight boxing career.
He was due to fight South African boxer Francois Botha in Brisbane on November 24, but that bout was put in doubt after succumbing to his pectoral injury.
