Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello believes in-demand teammate Sonny Bill Williams has rediscovered a passion for rugby league.
Williams is currently mulling over an attractive three-year contract tabled by New Zealand Rugby Union, deciding whether he wants to spend 2014 with the Roosters in the NRL or return to Super Rugby side the Chiefs.
Minichiello suggested Williams was yet to make up his mind, but was adamant the 28-year-old was enjoying every minute of his second NRL venture.
“I think he’s definitely loving it,” Minichiello said of Williams, who will return from a two-game suspension on Monday night when he lines up against Super Rugby-bound Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall.
“Especially living in Sydney, he’s got his family here as well. Obviously those rugby boys travel a fair bit more than us, so I think he’s just loving having the family here and all that.
“Hopefully he stays with us … he’s been great for all the players, especially our Kiwi boys.
“They’ve gravitated towards him, they’ve formed not just friendships, but good partnerships on the field.”
Minichiello said Williams’ teammates were putting him under no pressure, and that the topic of his future didn’t come up in conversation at training.
“None of us are pushing him to give us an answer,” he said.
“It’s up to him, he’ll make his decision in due time and we’re not going to rush him.”
The Roosters have continued their strong form despite the recent absence of Williams and veteran fullback Minichiello (knee), taking top spot on the table thanks to a seven-match winning streak.
“That’s what we base our game on, we do have great individual players but we don’t rely on them on a weekly basis,” Minichiello said.
“We’ve got good structure and we’ve got great depth as well … we just go about the business and someone else can slot in there and do the job.”
Minichiello is hopeful of playing against Cronulla on Monday week, but conceded the Roosters’ clash with Gold Coast the following Sunday was a more likely return date.
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