Sonny Bill Williams

SBW hangs up boots and laces up gloves

The 35 Williams has told Nine News in Sydney that he now wants to focus on becoming a world champion boxer.

Williams finishes his NRL career having played 123 first grade games between the Bulldogs and Roosters, with premiership wins at both clubs in 2004 and 2013.

He will however continue to be involved with the Roosters in a mentoring role.

Williams played 58 times for the All Blacks.

Ex-All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams drops a big hint on Twitter over his next career move

In his latest post to his Twitter followers, the 35-year-old said “the new journey begins” while standing in a boxing ring. 

Reports had emerged in Australia in recent weeks that he would be making a return to boxing – and this latest post all but confirms those rumours about the latest sports switch. He could face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in a warm-up bout before fighting ex-AFL star Barry Hall.

Sonny Bill Williams' Canadian rugby league club set to make $1m payment to unpaid players

According to various news reports, the Canadian club and the GMB Union are set to hold virtual talks on Wednesday (NZ time) with a possible $C1 million ($NZ1.1 million) agreement looming in the players' unpaid wages case against the Wolfpack.

Toronto pulled out of the 2020 Super League season last July after six games after owner David Argyle reportedly experienced financial problems following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Argyle stepped down and a new club management unsuccessfully sought reinstatement in the 2021 Super League competition.

Nine targets Sonny Bill Williams, Allana Ferguson in search for star rugby TV talent

The former Jillaroo isn't the only cross-code star in Nine's sights, with discussions still ongoing with Sonny Bill Williams' camp.

Williams had surgery on a neck injury picked up playing for the Roosters late last year and will not make a call regarding his future in league or boxing until a meeting with his neurosurgeon in the next month.

But he remains a target for Nine, the owner of this masthead, regardless of whether he plays or fights on this year.

Ex-All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams in line for shock career switch

 

According to a report out of the Sydney Morning Herald, Williams could be in line to become a commentator for both rugby union and rugby league on Australian network Channel 9.

The news comes shortly after the announcement that Channel 9 had acquired rugby union broadcasting rights in a $100m, three-year deal that will see certain Super Rugby AU matches and Wallabies tests broadcast free-to-air in Australia.

Wolfpack won't be back

Last November Williams signed a two year deal with the Wolfpack for a reported 10 million dollars.

The Wolfpack pulled out of this year's competition in July citing financial challenges from the Covid-19 outbreak, having failed to pay players, coaches and staff for several months.

New owner Carlo LiVolsi offered to underwrite the club's losses, but his plans were rejected at a meeting of the Super League clubs.

'He looks ready to go': Hype continues to grow as ex-All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams nears NRL return

Williams is expected to end a 2171-day NRL hiatus against on Saturday night at GIO Stadium, with five matches for Toronto Wolfpack his only rugby league since leaving the Roosters in 2014.

The return of the former All Blacks ace comes at an ominous time for the Roosters’ NRL rivals, with reigning Dally M Medallist Tedesco involved in five tries last week and the premiers’ attack the best in the competition.

But with Williams in the team, superstar fullback Tedesco believes the Roosters will be even more dangerous.

SBW set to exit quarantine, bringing his NRL return another step closer

The 35-year-old and his family will leave their Sydney hotel quarantine on Thursday night, just before the Roosters take on Melbourne Storm at the SCG.

After completing a medical examination he will have his first training session with the Roosters at the weekend. He has been using gym equipment while in the two weeks quarantine and although he has had minor knee surgery, he is expected to hit the ground running after his recent stint with Toronto in the Super League.

Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams weighed up retirement before NRL return

Williams, counting down his final days in mandatory quarantine in a Sydney apartment before joining his Roosters teammates, said it was hard to believe he was on the verge of an NRL comeback.

The 35-year-old former All Blacks and Roosters premiership player has signed a short-term NRL deal.

His return to the NRL comes after a stint with Toronto was cut short because of the pandemic that has forced the Wolfpack to withdraw from the remainder of the 2020 Super League season.

SBW 'no surprise' he's heading to Roosters

Williams hasn't played in the NRL since 2014 but is returning to the Sydney Roosters with his Canadian club Toronto Wolfpack pulling out of the Super League due to COVID-19.

Williams, who turns 35 next week, has told Nine News he had booked flights to go on a European family holiday before the Roosters came calling with their two to three month deal reportedly worth $150 thousand.