Rugby: Umaga urges Sonny Bill to come home

A top-class collection of multi-nationals is helping push Sonny Bill Williams towards a rugby career in New Zealand.

The deal is not done but England's Jonny Wilkinson, Italy's Felipe Contepomi and Springbok Joe van Niekerk all played alongside Williams at Toulon, where they flooded him with magnetic stories about international rugby.

Departing coach Tana Umaga was another sounding board who has encouraged the midfield back to leave the south of France and sign on Downunder in a bid to make the All Blacks. Ideally, Umaga would like Williams alongside him for Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup but knows that is a multi-pronged tussle.

"I know Sonny Bill enjoys it here," Umaga said from his Toulon base.

"He enjoys the guys and the city but I know on the back of that, he wants to play for the All Blacks, he is a competitor and always wants to prove himself on the biggest stage.

"He really wants to do well in this sport, to be the best he can and he also wants to go up against the best he can. I think that's what drives him."

Williams is in Australia, apparently mulling over his next rugby destination as he prepares for a boxing match on June 30 in Brisbane. The 24-year-old has just finished a two-year term with Toulon, while his manager Khoder Nasser has been entertained recently by New Zealand, North Harbour, Counties and Canterbury officials as they pitched for Williams' signature.

Umaga believes the rich test rugby tales delivered by players at Toulon may be the key to any deal.

"Sonny Bill sees these guys who have done their duty on the international stage and they talk a lot about that and they are always coming to Sonny telling him to go back and have a crack at it."

Officially, Umaga will start as assistant coach/player at Counties Manukau towards the end of this month. In the meantime, he is travelling to catch up with family and friends in England and Australia.

He trusts Counties coach Milton Haig to sift players and intends bringing his best 37-year-old skills for some midfield action in the provincial championship.

"It is hard to do it from here so I want to get there early, meet everyone, talk through how the season is going to pan out for all of us and then get into it," Umaga said.

The former All Black captain said Williams had improved markedly this season with Toulon.

"He has got his body right and he has played well, he looks like a rugby player and understands why we are doing things.

"He has a thirst for knowledge, a thirst for work and I think when you put on your coach's hat you can't ask for more from anyone. That's what you want. He asks good questions, and is out there doing the extras," said Umaga.

"He is the perfect sort of person you want to coach and when he is out there, he demands a lot from others as well, as much as he demands from himself. He has been very good for us.

"He is very comfortable in his game and where he is in his life at the moment."

Umaga had pitched the merits of Counties to Williams, if he signed on in New Zealand and had urged the province to make a strong offer. Besides, he joked, he'd rather play with him than against him.

"I understand he might need to go to another side but I also think Counties can offer him help. I am biased but he is a good man and he will help our guys as much as anyone could.

"His attitude to training and to the game will show other guys that he has only been in rugby for two years but he has learned so much and is still striving to learn."

Umaga felt that was a real strength of Williams' game.

"You might have the physical attributes but do we really know the game?" Umaga asked.

"That is one thing that he does, he really wants to learn and understand why we do things.

"We talk a lot about the game and to be alongside him would be great but he needs to do what is best for him and in the end I will promote Counties as much as I can with Sonny and others but if they have opportunities elsewhere, that's life."

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS

July 2008: Fled Canterbury Bulldogs for Toulon who subsequently paid a £300,000 transfer fee.

2008-10: Played centre for Toulon.

Has been apparently offered a four year, €1 million a year extension with an exit clause for test rugby duty.