Two Sunday newspapers are reporting that the former Kiwis rugby league international Sonny Bill Williams has turned down the richest contract in rugby union to sign with New Zealand rugby and chase an All Blacks jersey for next year's World Cup here.
The reports say Williams will play provincial rugby in the upcoming ITM Cup, after rejecting a three-year contract from his former club Toulon, reportedly worth more than $7 million - despite the NZRU only coming up with an offer of $675,000 per year.
The reports say that Williams, who's been playing for Toulon since walking out on NRL club the Bulldogs in 2008, will announce an 18-month deal with the NZRU this week and could be playing provincial rugby here soon as he eyes a place on the All Blacks' end of year tour.
The 24-year-old hasn't yet decided which Super Rugby and provincial side he will link with.
Williams and his partner both have family in Auckland.
