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Israel Folau has rated Sonny Bill Williams one of the best players he’s seen in both rugby league and rugby union as they prepare to clash for the first time in seven years.
Former league internationals Folau and Williams are scheduled to play some part of Friday night’s final Super Rugby practice match between the NSW Waratahs and Chiefs at Campbelltown Stadium in south-western Sydney.
Each will have their first hitout of the season, with All Blacks centre Williams expected to play at least half the match for the Chiefs just six days after his last sporting endeavour in Sydney, an eight-round boxing bout which he won.
The last time they played against each other was in August 2007 in an NRL game when Folau scored three tries for Melbourne in a 38-6 flogging of Williams’s Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
While it’s no certainty they will be on the field at the same time on Friday, it’s more than likely and Wallabies fullback Folau is looking forward to the prospect.
“It’s always good when you challenge yourself against great athletes like Sonny,” Folau said on Thursday.
“No doubt he’s one of the best players in both codes that I’ve seen, so it will be great to go up against him again.”
He had no doubt Williams would make a second successful transition from league to union, pointing to his two-try effort against the United States in his first Test for more than two years in late 2014.
“I definitely think so, he’s a great athlete and those guys are very talented and natural,” Folau said.
“(With) Natural ability you can just come straight in with limited time on the training paddock and perform really well.”
In one sense, Friday’s game is a homecoming for Folau, who will be playing for the first time in more than five years in what could almost be considered his backyard.
Campbelltown Stadium, where he last played in 2009 in his NRL days, is just one rail stop away from the suburb where he was raised.
“It’s only around the corner from where I grew up in Minto, so I’m very excited about going back there and having a game,” Folau said.
Entering his third year in the code, current John Eales Medallist Folau was adamant he still had scope for improvement.
“There’s definitely things that I can work on, both defensively and in attack as well,” Folau said.
He wasn’t giving anything away about whether he would stay in rugby after his contract expires at the end of this World Cup season.
“I’ve got a lot of options,” Folau said.
However, after playing league, union and AFL, the gifted multi-sport athlete ruled out trying his hand at boxing or the NFL.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.