Sonny Bill Williams believes the NRL is in good hands regardless of whether he re-signs with the premiers or heads back to rugby union.
The Sydney Roosters superstar said he’ll make a decision on his future in the next couple of weeks, and admitted the euphoria of a second NRL premiership made the big call even tougher.
Williams has been enormous for not just the Roosters, but for the game itself in his highly-anticipated return to the 13-man code.
In the grand final, he was the difference.
Despite a poor first half, his touches in the last 20 minutes sealed the Roosters’ 26-18 win over Manly.
Even NRL chief executive Dave Smith has Williams’ phone number and has been in personal contact about the decision that has those associated with the game waiting with baited breath.
Most expect Williams will return to rugby, with the lure of World Cups and Olympics too great.
However, he said he didn’t see himself as “special” and will take time to savour the moment.
“It doesn’t matter who leaves or who comes … One door shuts and another door will open,” Williams said.
“There will always be special talent coming through and I’m no different.
“I don’t consider myself to be special. If I leave or if I stay there will be still people coming through.”
The Roosters’ second rower apologised for shunning the media in grand final week, revealing he swore off social media and even changed his phone number as he tried to narrow his focus.
“Last month I asked the club if I could just not do any media and just concentrate on my dream and that’s winning this competition,” he said.
“I went into my own shell, changed my number, went off social media and dedicated myself to the force. To what we were trying to achieve.
“I just want to savour the moment, be happy with the boys and thank God I’m in the position I am to be able to make these (big) calls.”
Coach Trent Robinson said he would let the dust settle before he approached his marquee player about his future.
He admitted Williams would leave a massive hole in the Roosters’ roster with little time to fill it, should he go back to the Chiefs and the All Blacks.
However, Robinson said it’s a risk you take on a player of Williams’ calibre.
“We had to take a risk in getting him back here,” Robinson said.
“Nick Politis took a risk that no one else would. He proved a lot of people wrong this year.
“We decided to back him and we’ll do the same again. He can make a huge difference to a team.”
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