Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill Williams hits back over 'leeches' controversy

Earlier this month, Newstalk ZB presenter Heather du Plessis-Allan told her listeners it was not worth the expense of sending the PM to the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru.

"The Pacific Islands wants money from us," she said.

"The Pacific Islands don't matter. They are nothing but leeches on us."

Her comments were posted on social media, prompting lots of angry reactions and some abusive and offensive putdowns of the broadcaster herself.

Sonny Bill Williams to fight Bachelorette winner in next boxing bout

All Blacks centre Williams announced on Tuesday that he will fight Laundy the weekend after the All Blacks' Test against Italy.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has already given the green light for Williams for his next bout, saying the fight would be a low-key affair.

“I think he’s just going to get off the plane and do it. It’s the sort of athlete he is,” he said.

"We've got guys boxing all the time, as part of their training. Again, my understanding of the fight is that it's more of an exhibition fight I think than a go down and knock yourself out fight.

SBW opens up about a return to league

Williams is targeting next year's Rugby Union World Cup with the All Blacks but his future beyond that is undecided.

The dual international turns 34 next August and is weighing up ending an illustrious career spanning Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan, rugby league, rugby union and boxing.

Williams became a pariah in the 13-man game after his walk-out on Canterbury in 2008 over a contract dispute.

Williams out with knee injury

Williams aggravated an old knee injury this week and Blues medical staff said an x-ray yesterday showed a loose piece of bone in his knee joint.

He will undergo keyhole surgery later today in Auckland.

Blues medical staff expect that the second five-eighth will be unable to train for approximately four weeks.

The 32-year-old was due to assemble with the All Blacks squad next week to prepare for the first test against France - an update of his involvement from All Blacks management will be given on Monday.

SBW breaks wrist

The twice World Cup winner posted a photograph on his Twitter page with his left forearm and hand encased in a plaster cast.

The Blues say Williams would be out for between six and eight weeks.

The 32-year-old could return in time for the clash against the defending champion Canterbury Crusaders on May 19, two weeks before the All Blacks play their first match in their three-test series against France in Auckland.

The Blues, who have a bye this week, play South Africa's Sharks next Saturday at Eden Park.

     

Williams shoots down reports of move back to league

The 32-year-old Williams' playing future has been the subject of intense speculation virtually every year since he walked out on a five-year contract with rugby league's Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008 to play union in France.

Williams was forced into clarifying his future after a former Sydney Roosters player told an Australian radio station at the weekend that he would join the club in August after the Auckland Blues' season ended.

"I love being a part of the Blues Rugby team & All Blacks," Williams wrote on his Twitter account on Monday.

Roosters reportedly dismiss claims of Sonny Bill Williams' shock NRL return

The Blues second-five is rumoured to be returning to the NRL with the Roosters at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Former Roosters player Jimmy Smith made the comments on Australian radio.

"The mail is good," Smith told the Big Sports Weekend radio programme on Sydney radio station 2KY.

"From what I understand, the deal is done. It will be a short stint at the end of the Super Rugby season."

Smith told the Big Sports Weekend on Sunday that the backrower will be back in Bondi before the finals with the Super Rugby final set for August 4.

Sonny Bill Williams will 'stay with rugby union' - Anthony Mundine

"I feel he'll stay in rugby," Mundine, a former NRL player turned professional boxer, said.

"As great as rugby league is, rugby is the world game. Lots of countries play it all over Europe and South Africa, it's massive. I went to South Africa to watch him play a [Super Rugby] game and they had fans waiting outside the hotel room. It's a big thing. It's the biggest sport over there. It's crazy."

SBW receives ref apology for wrong yellow card

The experienced 44-test midfielder spoke for the first time following the Stade de France encounter, won 38-18 by the All Blacks, in Edinburgh on Thursday evening after the team naming for Saturday's (Sunday NZ time) clash against Scotland.

Williams took his brain-explosion play on the chin, after being yellow-carded and also conceding a penalty try when he batted away a French cross-kick in-goal, instead of attempting to catch the ball.

The play he made is standard in his former sport of rugby league, but not allowed in rugby.

Lay off SBW: Hansen

Despite making 23 tackles in the All Blacks' 25-24 win over the Springboks in Cape Town on October 8, Williams has been blitzed by some critics who believe he has lost the ability to tickle-up opponents with the attacking skills that made him such a unique force at second five-eighth.

When All Blacks coach Hansen, having arrived in Brisbane on Monday night to prepare his team for the match against the Wallabies this weekend, was asked to provide an assessment of Williams' form he let rip.