77-test All Black Ali Williams' transition to his post-playing career is set to make a stop in the United States.
Williams has signed on to captain the Rough Riders in America's National Rugby Football League, and is set to become the first international player for the Philadelphia-based Rough Riders squad.
Williams announced his impending retirement from rugby in January, seeing out the season with French side Toulon, where he took Man Of The Match honours in their European Champions Cup final triumph over Clermont Auvergne.
The lock has committed to play in this summer's Independence Cup on August 8th when the Rough Riders take on the Leicester Tigers at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, after former All Blacks prop Craig Dowd inquired into his availability.
"Craig asked if I'd be willing to play and I put my hand up and said: 'Yeah, it'd be great to come and play a competitive game in the States and also to check out the lay of the land, so to speak," Williams told The Guardian
The Rough Riders announced in a statement that Williams had made the decision to delay his impending retirement from the sport in order to captain the team in their clash against Leicester.
Williams also hinted at his role with the Rough Riders being a stepping stone to other post-playing rugby endeavours.
