Maguire ‘open’ to SBW’s return to the Kiwis
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire was coy on whether he wanted Sonny Bill Williams to return to international league with his New Zealand squad but admitted there was ‘‘an open opportunity’’ for the departing All Black after his latest code switch.
It means Williams should be free to return for the Kiwis after last appearing for them in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup final Australia won 34-2 in Manchester, but Samoa coach Matt Parish has declared his interest in luring the 34-year-old, who has a Samoan passport, into playing for his team.
Maguire did not reject the idea of Williams playing for the Kiwis again.
‘‘Obviously I’ll talk to my senior players about whoever might be able to come in,’’ Maguire told One News. ‘‘You’ve got to look at what we’re building and when people are coming in, are they driving towards where we want to go? It’s definitely an open opportunity.’’
Coming back to international league with Samoa would be possible because of the game’s relaxed laws on eligibility, as seen with the Kiwis who defected to and have stuck with Tonga, who recorded their first test win over Australia at Eden Park last Saturday.
‘‘I know that although Sonny’s New Zealand-born he’s very proud of his Samoa heritage,’’ Parish told NRL. com last week.
‘‘We’ll certainly be trying to persuade him to be part of our test matches at the end of next year and also at the World Cup 2021.
‘‘To have his presence anywhere in any team is enormous. I know the influence he had at the Roosters in ‘13 when they won the comp with him on board.’’
Williams played 12 tests for the Kiwis between 2004 and 2013 after hopping codes throughout his storied career but his move to Toronto could be the final chapter.
He started in league in 2004 with Canterbury Bulldogs, had a stint as a professional heavyweight boxer, and won Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, as well as NRL titles with the Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters in 2004 and 2013 respectively.