All Blacks career over? Sonny Bill Williams linked to shock coaching switch

Weidler claimed that Williams is being sounded in a coaching capacity, not as a player, with the roster of the back-to-back champions already boasting several top players who play in Williams’ potential positions.

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The role is said to involve work with the Roosters’ younger players in developing club culture.

Williams will likely have plenty of offers to choose from though, with Canadian outfit Toronto Wolfpack also keen to recruit him.

Wolfpack head coach Brian McDermott said Toronto wanted to bring in a “David Beckham-type player” and that Williams fit the bill.

“Our club would want to have a name that’s absolutely international that everybody would recognise and help the profile of our game, very much like David Beckham did for Major League Soccer,” McDermott added.

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“But he would have to be a very good player as well, he’s got to be able to do the job that I want him to do. There would be no token player or just a headline-grabbing player.”

Williams enjoys legendary status in league and union and could be persuaded to return to the 13-man code, according to McDermott.

“His people have had conversations with our people and the answer wasn’t no – he hasn’t just shut it off.

“I’m not saying he’s coming or is going to come, but the fact of the matter is he has responded and the answer wasn’t no.”

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.