Williams back but in an evolving role for Blues

SONNY Bill Williams returns to Allianz Stadium this Saturday – the scene of some of his most famous sporting moments – but expect something different this time.

While we’re used to seeing Williams barge through the middle of the field getting his giant arms free to pop his trademark offloads, he is playing a vastly different role for the Blues against Australian teams.

The Auckland side take on the Waratahs this weekend and as Willi- ams showed last Sunday against the Brumbies, he is evolving to become more of a passing inside centre, akin to a five- eighth in rugby league.

More often than not last weekend Williams ran wide of the midfield channel and fed his outside attackers with cutout passes, or ran decoys to attract defenders to create space for teammates. The Waratahs would be prepared for this tactic, five- eighth Bernard Foley said.

“They probably must have seen something in terms of how Australian teams play. I don’t think we’re too dis- similar to the Brumbies,” Foley said.

“So I think they’ll be looking for him to play a similar role, especially given they’ve got a block of Australian teams.

“He is a quality player and he’s got all the skills. His running game, his offload game is something we have to shore up. But his ability to distribute is also a weapon for them.

“But the thing we can’t do is put all our eggs in that basket and try to shut him down, because they’ve got a number of quality players in that side.

“We’ve already seen the likes of ( Rieko) Ioane and Piers Francis, those guys are really good footy players as well.”

Williams will consider this match somewhat of a homecoming.

He spent two years at the Roosters ( 2013- 14) with Allianz as his home ground, while in his debut season playing for the Bulldogs he put on his famous shoulder charge of Penrith prop Joel Clinton at the same ground.

Williams also helped the New Zealand sevens side claim the maiden Sydney Sevens rugby tournament at the ground last year.