SBW out to ’sprinkle some magic’

A rusty Sonny Bill Williams is looking to work his way into Super League and ‘‘sprinkle a bit of magic’’.

Williams will make his debut for the Toronto Wolfpack this weekend against the Castleford Tigers.

He has given the Super League huge headlines but it might be a while before he finds his best form as he takes the next step in his multi-coded sporting career.

Six years on from his last rugby league game for Sydney Roosters in the NRL, Williams is trying to keep a lid on expectations.

‘‘I know I will be rusty coming back,’’ Williams, who won two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks, told the Sunday Times.

‘‘I’m training to build my season on hard work. As it progresses, hopefully I can sprinkle a bit of magic on the team.

‘‘I’m just really excited to come back to the game I grew up playing. I feel in tip-top shape. I’m just excited to be amongst it.

‘‘The competitive drive is still there. My sporting life has been a rollercoaster. I’ve made a lot of mistakes throughout my career and life. I’m trying to live by the mantra that it’s never a mistake if you learn from it.

‘‘To ask if I’m the same guy, that’s a tough one. I’d like to think so. I always have a point to prove, no matter where I am. I wouldn’t be around now if I didn’t have that inner drive to succeed.’’

The Sunday Times article centred on hopes that Williams can be the catalyst to finally set Super League alight as the England

championship expands further beyond its French connection and crosses the Atlantic.

They felt his impact could propel the sport forward as Super League entered the penultimate season of a lucrative TV rights deal in Britain.

‘‘The hype must be lived up to. That is where the SBW factor comes in … finally, Super League has a recognised name to hang its hat on, the Sunday Times said of Williams who the described as ‘‘a sporting polymath with league in his veins’’.

The father of England all-rounder Ben Stokes is leaving hospital in South Africa after being in intensive care.

Christchurch-based Ged Stokes was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg on December 23, but the England star said the family has had some good news.

‘‘Dad is looking like he’s going home at the end of this game. It has put a lot of things in perspective,’’ Stokes told BBC Sport after England completed a 3-1 testseries win against South Africa with a 191-run win in Johannesburg.

‘‘Today has been a brilliant day for the team, and the last couple of days we’ve been given some good news as a family.

‘‘It has been a rollercoaster with everything that has gone on. I hope my old man is in his hospital bed watching this with a big smile on his face,’’ Stokes said.

‘‘I spoke to Dad before the first test and told him I’m playing the game, and he looked at me with