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Sonny Bill Williams eyeing call-up for Wellington Sevens

By Julian Crabtree

Friday 4 December 2015 12:23, UK

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Sonny Bill Williams says he is hopeful of getting back in action soon and is eyeing a call-up for the Wellington Sevens

Sonny Bill Williams is aiming for the Wellington Sevens as he bids to add an Olympic medal to his trophy cabinet.

The All Black centre, who helped New Zealand to historical back-to-back World Cup titles in England, is regarded as one of the finest all-round sportsmen in the world.

Apart from setting the 15-man game alight, Williams has also starred for the New Zealand rugby league team and has won the New Zealand heavyweight boxing title.

All Black Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens included the likes of Williams, Ardie Savea and Liam Messam in his training squad as the short-version of the game gets set to make its debut at the Olympics in Rio 2016.

Williams has taken some time off after the 2015 World Cup but is looking to be back in action in the last week of January when the Sevens World Series heads to Wellington. For the time being, he is happy being a spectator in Dubai as he watched his former team-mates in action as the series season kicked off.

"For me, it's coming here [Dubai] and getting a bird's-eye view and trying to learn as much as I can," said Williams.

L to R, Sonny Bill Williams, coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, newly appointed 7s captain Scott Curry and Ardie Savea
Image: (Left-right) Sonny Bill Williams with New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, Scott Curry and Ardie Savea

"I'm still supposed to be on holiday at the moment - me and my family thought we would come here on holiday, check out the Sevens and start the learning experience straight away

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"I'll head back to New Zealand after this and have a month, six weeks of a lot of fitness and a lot of running. Hopefully I can put my hand up and play some good footy and get picked to play in the Wellington Sevens."

Runs in the family

While Sonny Bill was not playing in Dubai, another Williams was as his sister Niall was in action for the NZ women's team.

"We are really proud as a family," added Williams.

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"She has done what she has set out to do and has achieved her dream. It is just awesome to be here in person and watch her do that.

"Although they have not played as well as they would have liked too [they were beaten 33-7 by Russia], I am sure she is proud to have pulled that jersey on."

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