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Sonny Bill Williams set for rugby return

29th September, 2014
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Code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams is likely to play provincial rugby for Counties Manukau before a probable return to the All Blacks.

The dual international is likely to begin his second stint in rugby at the province, after previously indicating he would be unavailable.

His first game could come just eight days after his Sydney Roosters lost their NRL semi-final to South Sydney.

Counties Manukau chief executive Andrew Maddock told AAP an announcement related to Williams will be made on Tuesday morning.

They have an intense finish to the regular season, away to Southland on Saturday before games next week at home to Auckland and away to Tasman.

Maddock says Williams would be eligible for the Premiership play-offs if sixth-placed Counties Manukau were to qualify.

The 29-year-old has signed a two-year contract with New Zealand Rugby, targeting a place at the World Cup next year and in the New Zealand sevens team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The New Zealand Rugby Union ruled Williams didn’t have to play in the NPC to be a candidate for the All Blacks’ tour of the United States and Britain in November.

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Counties Manukau coach Tana Umaga – a teammate at Toulon when Williams first switched to union in 2008 – ruled out the prospect of fielding the midfielder this season.

However, media reports in Australia suggested Williams was eager to make a quick transition back to the 15-man code following the Roosters’ 32-22 loss to the Rabbitohs on Friday.

Williams’ only other taste of NPC rugby came in 2010, when he played six games for Canterbury soon after finishing at Toulon.

Meanwhile, Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald he wants to resume his boxing career before beginning a second Super Rugby campaign with the Chiefs in February.

His last heavyweight fight was against South African veteran Francois Botha in Brisbane in February 2013, when victory by unanimous decision extended his professional record to 6-0.

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