Williams to extend Toulon stay

Toulon - All Blacks lock Ali Williams said Thursday he is on the verge of prolonging his stay at European champions Toulon beyond the end of this season.

The 32-year-old, who has been capped 77 times by his country and won the World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011, has formed a formidable second row partnership on the south coast with South Africa's Bakkies Botha.

Asked if he'd like to stay on beyond this season, Williams said: "It's almost done. I love it here.

"It's totally different to what I knew in New Zealand. I'd never left my country.

"The people here are magical, I can feel there's a real connection and I want to stay."

Williams joined Toulon at the end of September after completing his New Zealand commitments in the Rugby Championship.