The top of the table Chiefs beat the Highlanders 27-21 in a heated encounter in Dunedin on Saturday. Sonny Bill Williams sparked an early try, but was involved in a scuffle early in the second half. He has also announced that he’s moving to Rugby League.
Williams, who has played for Toulon, the Crusaders, and the Chiefs since moving to Union, is set to head to Japan for a short stint, then the NRL, to join the Sydney Roosters in 2013.
According to the Herald on Sunday, he needs to be in Japan by 30 August, which means that while he will be available for the All Blacks’ first two Rugby Championship games, he will not take part.
The good news for All Black fans is that he aims to return to the Chiefs in 2014, and will hope to be part of the Test squad that defends the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015.
He will no doubt find time to box too, and against the Highlanders looked to be getting ready for both that and League, as he put the shoulder in on Nick Crosswell, which led to a bit of a spat between SBW and a few of the forwards, with fiery second rower Jarrad Hoeata included.
“It’s all handbags,” said Highlanders skipper Jamie McIntosch, while Williams himself appeared to ask if some of the Highlanders forwards thought they were taking part in a Fight for Life event.
What do you think of the latest reports on Williams’ possible move?
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