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All Blacks vs Samoa: Clash of cousins faces Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill partying after the Roosters' grand final win in 2013. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
6th July, 2015
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Sonny Bill William expects family loyalties to be divided and he just hopes his father is wearing an All Blacks jersey for the historic Test against Samoa.

Williams will start at inside centre on Wednesday in New Zealand’s first match in Apia and in the opposition ranks will be cousin and Chiefs teammate Tim Nanai-Williams.

Having been to Samoa several times, the Auckland-born Williams has a fair idea of the reception that awaits the All Blacks when they arrive in the Pacific Island nation on Monday night.

“It’s probably going to be pandemonium,” said Williams, who won a NRL Premiership with the Roosters in 2013 and lost against Souths in the preliminary final last year before his move to rugby union.

“The boys won’t be able to move. They love the All Blacks just as much as they love the Manu Samoa team.

“It’s exciting times, special times as well because there are a few of us who have Samoan heritage. I’m just hoping my old man wears his All Blacks jersey and not his Samoan one.”

Williams said Nanai-Williams had been in regular contact in the build-up.

“He’s been sending me videos of the boys training over there, how hot it is, different little things, billboards that the boys are on,” he said.

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“I’m looking forward to playing him. I’m not too sure about trying to tackle him. He’s got those twinkle toes.”

The Test will be the 29-year-old dual international’s 24th for the All Blacks and comes after a Super Rugby season disrupted by injury.

“It was a pretty tough Super Rugby campaign, not just because we got knocked out early, but for myself, a lot of injuries,” he said.

“But at the moment, I’m feeling really good. The body is feeling awesome and I just want to stay on the roll that I’m on at the moment.”

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