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Double trouble: Sonny Bill Williams with Anthony Mundine - Source: Photosport
Maybe the best indication yet of Sonny Bill Williams' future plans came today from his friend and mentor Anthony Mundine.
Ever since Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter confirmed their allegiance to the NZRU last week, the focus has turned to Sonny Bill and where he will head following this year's Rugby World Cup.
Mundine told ONE News that Williams is happier than he's been in either of his previous two contracts, the first with NRL club the Bulldogs who he sensationally walked out on in 2008 and most recently with cashed-up French rugby club Toulon.
"I believe that he's happy here in what he's doing right now and the success that he's having with rugby," Mundine said today.
"It's going to be hard for him not to sign especially if they come up with something that he can't turn down."
However the man himself was still keeping his cards close to his chest, refusing to even place a time-frame on when a decision may be announced.
"I'm not too sure to tell you the truth, obviously I know all the offers and what's going on but I haven't really sat down and thought about what's going to be most beneficial for my family and myself," Williams told ONE News.
"There's pros and cons wherever I go and that's why when I sit down and think about it I have to weigh up all those situations."
It's understood that Williams has the option to go back to Toulon or another French club and a possible return to NRL has also been rumoured.
One aspect in the NZRU's favour could be the words of All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
Henry was instrumental in getting him to sign with the union for the first time last year and Williams says he holds him in the highest regard.
"It's definitely a big factor, I've got immense respect for Ted because I think he had more belief in me than I did before I came back and when I came back," Williams said.
"I've always stated that I've always been fighting those demons of whether I was good enough in the 15 man game but he had the foresight and that was pretty cool because there's no higher than the head coach of the All Blacks to you saying 'I think if you come back you can be a success'."
Meanwhile fellow code-switcher Mundine hinted that he'd like to see his protege hang up the boots in the future and take up boxing full-time.
Williams will fight 43-year old Alipate Liava'a in Auckland this weekend, a bout he admits he feels underdone for after fitting training around his Super Rugby duties for the Crusaders
Mundine said if Williams is to go further in the sport something will have to give.
"Maybe at this level you can do it, but if he wants to be a contender or a champion definitely it couldn't be done," Mundine said.
"But who knows what Sonny Bill wants to do that's why he's always talking about options and having options in his career, maybe he might ditch the boots for gloves later on and if he ever did that he'll be better for it."
