Rugby: Chief ambition rules

Tim Nanai-Williams has to play two more sevens tournaments to be eligible for Samoa's 15-a-side team. Photo / NZME.

Unlike others who often leave New Zealand rugby after switching allegiance to a Pacific Island nation, Tim Nanai-Williams is keen to stick with the Chiefs.

The 25-year-old utility, back into pre-season training with the Chiefs last week, has an intense year mapped out.

He played two World Series sevens events for Samoa last month, five years after the last of his seven tournaments for New Zealand.

This makes him one of the highest profile players to change allegiance after having already had his eligibility captured.

Nanai-Williams has to play two more sevens events to qualify for the Samoa 15s under the new World Rugby regulations.

Although off-contract with the Chiefs at the end of this season, he wants to stay in New Zealand for another year or two, even if his earning capacity will be limited as a non-All Black-eligible New Zealand professional.

"I really think we are in the best competition in the world," he said, hungry for a third Super Rugby title with the 2012-13 champions. "I like to play the best rugby. A lot of boys seem to leave after the World Cup but I'm fairly young and keen for another year or two."

June and July might just include the most intense weeks of his career, if all goes to plan.

The Chiefs could be in the Super Rugby playoffs and then Manu Samoa host the All Blacks in the historic July 8 test in Apia.

"I've got a lot of footy in front of me," Nanai-Williams said. "Hopefully we can make the finals and then I can get picked for the Manu for that big game but I'm just taking it one step at a time."

He will play in the Wellington Sevens the week before Super Rugby kicks off next month and has pencilled in the May 9-10 Scotland leg, when the Chiefs have a bye.

He says others are looking to follow his lead, including Toulon wing David Smith, who played one sevens tournament for New Zealand in 2008, but is eyeing Wellington for a return. Some will have to rely on the goodwill of their clubs for a release, a scenario Nanai-Williams does not have to worry about.

"I'm lucky enough with the Chiefs. We sat down and I gave them an understanding of what I want to do."

He enjoyed his time with the Samoan sevens squad, and was not getting caught up in the Manu Samoa 15 imbroglio which erupted in November.

"All that stuff doesn't really bother me. I've got my own goals and it's not really my place to be commenting about those things. I just back the boys. I haven't even played for the Manu 15s yet, but it seems like all is well within the sevens. It's not about money for me, otherwise I wouldn't be going."

Nanai-Williams has not yet discussed with Chiefs coach Dave Rennie what position he will play this year but it's not likely to be in the midfield, as he did for much of 2013. The Chiefs had issues with a smaller backline in 2014 and Nanai-Williams, listed as a fullback-wing, looks more suited to the back three in their roster.

Early signs look promising for the Chiefs, for whom Sonny Bill Williams was the only returning All Black last week.

"All the boys have been smashing records since they've come back, so it looks like they all trained hard and there was no Christmas food, just salad," Nanai-Williams joked.