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SBW to wear 'special' Blues jersey

Cape Town - Rugby superstar Sonny Bill Williams is likely to get dispensation to wear a Blues jersey without the logos of two major sponsors.

READ: New Zealand Prime Minister queries SBW logo cover-up

According to the Stuff website, a statement is being prepared from New Zealand Rugby, the Blues, Investec and the BNZ on Tuesday.

All are expected to state they have no issue with Williams' conscientious objection to wearing bank logos on his playing shirt. 

Williams caused a stir by taping over the BNZ bank logo on his jersey in his Blues 2017 Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin last Saturday.

The issue is yet to be fully explained by Williams, but is believed to have been due to his Muslim faith, which goes against the notion of banks charging interest and fees on loans.

While the Blues were unaware he would tape over the logo, Williams' management is confident the clause was included in his New Zealand Rugby contract.

Once all parties confirm their support for Williams' stance, the next logical step is to provide him with a "clean" jersey, rather than getting him to tape over logos, for the Blues next match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Saturday.  

Kick-off is at 09:35 (SA time).

The "clean" jersey would not feature the BNZ logo on his collar, nor one Investec slogan on the arm, NZME reported.

It is understood Williams has no issue with AIG, one of the All Blacks' main sponsors.

Williams made a welcome return to the field after rupturing his Achilles while playing for the New Zealand Sevens team at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Williams wasn't able to help his Blues side to victory over the Highlanders as the Auckland-based side went down 26-20.

The Blues currently find themselves in bottom place in the ultra-competitive New Zealand Conference. despite having as many points (16) as the table-topping Brumbies in the Australian Conference.

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