Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny William 'Sonny Bill' Williams (born 3 August 1985) is a New Zealand rugby footballer and heavyweight boxer who currently plays for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He is only the second person to represent New Zealand in rugby union after first playing for the country in rugby league. He is particularly known in rugby league and rugby union for his ability to offload the ball in the tackle and, in rugby league, for his shoulder charges.

He started his professional rugby league career with the Canterbury Bulldogs in the Australian NRL. In 2008 he controversially left the Bulldogs mid-season to play rugby union with French club Toulon. In 2010 Williams signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union in an ultimately successful bid to play for the All Blacks at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He played for Canterbury in the 2010 ITM Cup before being selected for the All Blacks' end of year tour in 2010, making his debut against England at Twickenham. He played for the Crusaders in the 2011 season and the Chiefs in the 2012 season of Super Rugby and played for Panasonic in the Japanese Top League for the 2012–13 season. He was a member of the All Blacks squad that won the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Williams returned to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters for the 2013 NRL season.

Since 2009 he has boxed six times, winning all six of his heavyweight bouts. He is the current New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight Champion, and the current WBA International Heavyweight Champion.