Rugby: All Blacks the main lure for Williams

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Growing up, Sonny Bill Williams' parents couldn't afford a replica All Blacks jersey for their boy.

Now he has turned down millions of euros in an ambitious attempt to earn the genuine article, a keepsake that would have pride of place next to the black shirt he was given last month by Tana Umaga.

That gesture from the former All Blacks captain - who parted with the top he wore in his 74th and final test against Scotland in 2005 - further reinforced Williams' desire to follow in his mentor's footsteps and represent New Zealand at a rugby World Cup.

"He gave me his last All Black jersey the night before I came back here," Williams revealed yesterday after signing until the end of 2011 with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

"Just getting that jersey gave me butterflies. Hopefully one day I can put on the real thing."

The 24-year-old initiated that process by turning down a three-year extension with French club Toulon worth $6 million.

Instead Williams aims to turn a childhood dream into reality and add an All Black cap to a remarkable list of sporting achievements that already includes seven tests for the Kiwis and a NRL premiership with the Bulldogs in 2004.

Williams makes his New Zealand rugby debut next month, though he was coy on which province he would represent in the ITM Cup.

His Super 15 franchise also remains a mystery though he dropped some broad hints.

If they were interpreted accurately Auckland or Counties-Manukau - where Umaga is now player/coach - may be his province of choice. Super rugby? Potentially further south at the Crusaders.

"If it was down to me I'd be going to where mum lives up in Auckland but I've got to take a lot of things into consideration," he said.

"Where can I go to improve as a player, learn the game and try and get to where I want to be?"

Either way his mum Lee can't lose. Nine years after he moved to Sydney and the Bulldogs she is just delighted to have Sonny Bill closer to home.

"Mum was a big factor in the decision.

"She was always keen on the idea. I told her 'I'm not too sure where I'm going to play'. She said she didn't care if it was the bottom end of New Zealand, as long as you're in New Zealand."

After two enjoyable and lucrative years at Toulon, Williams was at ease with trading a lifestyle of general anonymity in the south of France for intense scrutiny here.

"It's a lot less money but it balanced itself out in other ways," he said.

"It will be great to be back in the family environment."

The NZRU contract is thought to be worth $550,000 a year, a quarter of what he could bank in France, but Williams said the possibility of playing for the All Blacks was the real bottom line.

"It's a big risk I'm taking but the chance to play alongside some of the greatest players in world rugby is something I can't turn down.

"I got a taste for it at Toulon with Jonny Wilkinson, Joe van Niekerk, Tana Umaga ... I want a bit more of that feeling."

- NZPA