Sonny Bill Williams announces retirement from both rugby codes

Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has announced retirement from both rugby union or rugby league following a recurring knee injury.

Williams started his career with rugby league side Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004 and represented New Zealand in 12 games before switching code to rugby union in 2008 when he represented Toulon. He returned to New Zealand in 2010 when he signed a contract with Canterbury with his Super Rugby debut coming with Crusaders a year later. He also represented Chiefs, Blues and Panasonic Wild Knights.

He made his All Blacks debut in 2010 and has gone on to play 58 Tests and is among the 21 players in the history of the game to have won dual World Cups.

The 35-year-old returned back to rugby league in 2020 after signing a two-year deal with the Toronto Wolfpack in the English Super League but was seen playing for Sydney Roosters in the back end of the last season following the pandemic coronavirus.

“I was humble enough to understand the old knee couldn’t meet the demands, although the mind wanted to, of the week-in and week-out footy, especially in the NRL,” Williams told Australia’s Channel Nine.

“I spoke to my manager. I said, ‘Bro I think I’m keen to get in the ring for a couple of years, I’m 35’. Obviously spoke to the wife first and she had blank eyes but like usual, she supported me. I want to know how I will go in six months instead of six weeks,” added Williams, who is looking to resurrect his Boxing Career.