Former All Blacks rugby union centre Sonny Bill Williams confirmed his return to rugby league by agreeing to a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters in Australia’s National Rugby League.
Williams, who was a member of New Zealand’s World Cup-winning team last year, revealed in July that he would quit rugby union and return to the 13-a-side rival code.
The Roosters on Monday announced his recruitment for the next year NRL season.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there in a game I grew up playing and put my best foot forward,” said Williams, who is also a part-time heavyweight boxer.
The 27-year-old admits he only left rugby union after 17 internationals with the All Blacks because of a handshake agreement he once made with Roosters’ chairman Nick Politis.
Williams, who is currently playing for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan’s rugby union Top League, first rose to prominence in the NRL, winning the 2004 premiership with the Canterbury Bulldogs in his rookie season.
But he controversially walked out on the club in mid-season four years later and switched to union with Toulon.