Canberra
Cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams added another chapter to his incredible career Saturday, coming off the bench to make a winning return on his third stint in Australian rugby league.
The Auckland-born 35-year-old played 13 minutes on a cold night in Canberra to help the Sydney Roosters ease past the Raiders 18-6.
Williams hadn’t played in the competition for six years nor a game of rugby for almost six months and he was clearly a little rusty, but also showed glimpses of his unique blend of power and skill.
“It’s a pleasure to be playing alongside these guys, legends of the future,” he said of his Roosters teammates.
“There’s been a lot of talk about me coming back in and making an impact … but for me it’s just about getting among these guys and learning from a lot of these players.
“I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks. “Williams was recruited after Covid-19 forced his Toronto Wolfpack team to withdraw from England’s Super League.
The globe-trotting athlete played with the Roosters in 2013 and 2014, winning a premiership in his first year, adding to the title he won with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004.
He has successfully switched between rugby league, rugby union and boxing during a long career, winning two World Cups with the All Blacks and a Super Rugby crown.—AFP
