SBW to stay in New Zealand until 2019

Sonny Bill Williams will remain in New Zealand after the Rio Olympics after signing a new three-year deal with the NZRU taking him to the 2019 World Cup.
The code-hopper, 30, is currently vying for a place in the New Zealand Sevens team to contest the Rio Olympics and will refocus on the 15-man game after that shifting his Super Rugby allegiance to the Blues.
He said: “The coach gave me a call pretty much after the World Cup and spoke about the exciting things ahead for the All Blacks and he told me that in his plans I was a big part of that.
“When you have probably the best coach ever from the 15-man game telling you that you are a part of his plans moving forward, that really means a lot.
“Straight after that call I pretty much got on to my manager and told him, this is where I want to stay, let’s get the contract done.”
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen commented: “I think it’s a great decision to have a player of Sonny’s calibre … he’s a freakish athlete in his position where he’s one of the best in the world, if not the best.
“We saw at the World Cup he made a difference every time he played and he allowed us to have a one, two, three punch so to speak.
“He now has a big role for us coming on board over the next three years and allowing us to develop other people around him so that we can continue to have a one, two, three punch.
“He’s really getting comfortable in his position and in the game itself. The sevens program is only going to enhance that and I think by the time he’s finished he will be one of the greats of the game.
“So it’s nice to have him signed up for three years and if we speak quietly and nicely to (Williams’ manager) Khoder we might even get him for a few more after that. He’s got plenty of rugby left in him.”