Rugby: Sonny Bill to play for Canterbury and Crusaders - report

Sonny Bill Williams has rejected offers from Hawke's Bay, North Harbour and Counties-Manukau to play for Canterbury, a report said today. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams' hunt for an All Blacks jersey will begin from Canterbury, a report said this morning.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the player will sign with Canterbury in the national provincial championship which begins on July 30 and for the Crusaders in next year's Super 15 competition.

Hawke's Bay, North Harbour and Counties-Manukau had also made lucrative pitches at Williams.

The paper said Williams, a former National Rugby League player, spurned those offers because he believed playing alongside the likes of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw at provincial and Super rugby level was the best path to representing New Zealand who will host next year's World Cup.

Williams, who left French club Toulon to sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has the option of returning European competition after the World Cup.

Canterbury are the reigning national provincial champions and was the best performed New Zealand franchise in this year's Super 14, finishing fourth.

Williams' first match for Canterbury is likely to be the season opener against Hawke's Bay on July 30.

- NZPA