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Cape Town - Sonny Bill Williams will reportedly return to rugby union and play Super Rugby for the Chiefs next season.
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According to the Fox Sports website, Williams' private concerns over the punishment his body is taking in rugby league is driving him towards rugby union.
He is currently playing for Australian NRL side the Sydney Roosters, but looks set to sign a three-year deal with the two-time defending Super Rugby champions.
A New Zealand-based source told The Sunday Mail: "The Chiefs are very confident of getting Sonny Bill. I expect Sonny Bill to be at the Chiefs (next year) and it will be announced the second the NRL season is over.
"The word out of the Sonny Bill camp is that he is getting bashed in rugby league, and feels he is getting targeted and can look after his body better in rugby union and prolong his career.
"The Chiefs are really close to getting the deal done. With the Roosters in the finals, Sonny Bill wants to keep things low-key until their season is over."
Chiefs chairperson Dallas Fisher confirmed their interest in signing Williams, but insisted it's not a done deal just yet.
"We are waiting for Sonny to give us an answer on what he wants to do, the ball is entirely in his court," he said.
"Our interest in Sonny is genuine and we are waiting to see how things pan out.
"We're not rushing him, we are waiting for him to get to a point where he will make a decision.
"He's very attractive to us. He is an outstanding athlete with an outstanding profile.
"He will forever be part of the Chiefs and we'd love to have him back."
QUIZ: Sport24's highly addictive, yet almost impossible quiz!
According to the Fox Sports website, Williams' private concerns over the punishment his body is taking in rugby league is driving him towards rugby union.
He is currently playing for Australian NRL side the Sydney Roosters, but looks set to sign a three-year deal with the two-time defending Super Rugby champions.
A New Zealand-based source told The Sunday Mail: "The Chiefs are very confident of getting Sonny Bill. I expect Sonny Bill to be at the Chiefs (next year) and it will be announced the second the NRL season is over.
"The word out of the Sonny Bill camp is that he is getting bashed in rugby league, and feels he is getting targeted and can look after his body better in rugby union and prolong his career.
"The Chiefs are really close to getting the deal done. With the Roosters in the finals, Sonny Bill wants to keep things low-key until their season is over."
Chiefs chairperson Dallas Fisher confirmed their interest in signing Williams, but insisted it's not a done deal just yet.
"We are waiting for Sonny to give us an answer on what he wants to do, the ball is entirely in his court," he said.
"Our interest in Sonny is genuine and we are waiting to see how things pan out.
"We're not rushing him, we are waiting for him to get to a point where he will make a decision.
"He's very attractive to us. He is an outstanding athlete with an outstanding profile.
"He will forever be part of the Chiefs and we'd love to have him back."
