COUNTIES MANUKAU FANS got something of a treat this morning as Sonny Bill Williams made his comeback to rugby union in the second half of their 41-18 win over Auckland in the ITM Cup.
The 6ft 4ins centre was involved in the Preliminary Finals of rugby league’s NRL only two weekends ago, where his Roosters side lost out to Ben Te’o's Rabbitohs, but Williams is not hanging around in getting reacquainted with the 15-man code.
After replacing Connacht-bound Bundee Aki in the 60th minute, Williams contributed a handful of carries, as well as one left-handed pass that perhaps showed his rustiness in union.
Williams last played for New Zealand in 2012, but is set to be involved with Steve Hansen’s team in the November Test series. There will be competition for him in midfield, but union now has one of its greatest offload merchants back in the game.
Check out highlights of Counties Manukau’s win over Auckland, for whom soon-to-be Connacht hooker Tom McCartney started, below: