Sonny Bill: I missed the All Blacks
Sonny Bill Williams has a reputation as a serial code-hopper, who also dabbles in boxing. However, it appears his first love remains the All Blacks.
Speaking to 3 News ahead of New Zealand's encounter with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, the 29-year-old said he is stoked to be back in the All Black environment and only wants to do well for his coaches.
"I think coming back into this environment made me realise how much I missed it and how much I've grown to appreciate to have represented the All Blacks," Williams said.
"I'm just grateful that coach [Steve Hansen] has given me the opportunity to come back in here and it's a bit of a leap of faith on his end.
"I think he's the person I owe the most to and I think what gets the most out of me is when I have the coach's backing and faith.
"That's really given me the confidence to come back in and play some good footy.
For someone with a reputation of having never stayed in one place for long, Williams played down his desire to play at the Olympics, saying he would love to finish with 50 caps for the All Blacks.
That type of commitment is something Williams has often been criticised for lacking, with fans still bitter about his walkout on the Bulldogs in 2008 to play Rugby Union in France.
After winning a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs, Williams headed to Japan for a lucrative pay cheque in a less-competitive league, something he was also chided by fans for.
And then there's the boxing which has often been considered a side-show to his career.
But Williams said boxing helps him not only physically, but mentally prepare for an upcoming season and points to the years he had fights, as the years he won trophies.
"The last four years I've been doing it, it's kind of like my pre-season and it refreshes you because when you're in that boxing ring you've got to put it all in not just physically but mentally as well," Williams told 3 News.
"Last year was probably the only time I never had a fight and I didn't feel as fit mentally, and physically as I had the previous season.
However, Williams said he's only human and the criticism can get to him at times, but he knows it comes with the territory of being a sporting superstar.
"Everyone in their field just strives to be successful and be the best at what they do and I'm no different and I think that's why I polarise opinions.
"I'm pretty strong in what I stand for, pretty strong in my beliefs and my stances on certain things but that doesn't change the fact that I'm human as well.
"As long as I have that respect from the people that matter in my profession, that's obviously my coaches and my fellow teammates, and my family and my close ones then that's what really matters most to me."
Source: 3 News
