Sonny Bill Williams says he will have one more season with NRL side Sydney Roosters before switching back codes to rugby union in time for the 2015 World Cup.
The New Zealand dual code international is preparing for the Rugby League World Cup which gets underway later this month but he says he fully intends to switch codes again next year.
The 28-year-old has just won the NRL with the Roosters and has turned down a three-year deal from New Zealand Rugby Union as he wants to help the Sydney-based side defend the title next season.
“I told the Roosters this is probably my last year,” he revealed.
“My intentions are to try to go back after next year and force my way into the All Blacks squad.”
Whether Williams will be able to force his way back into the New Zealand set up remains to be seen but the desire to make some history for the Roosters was behind his decision.
Not since Brisbane in 1993 have a side won back-to-back NRL titles, and Williams is keen to achieve that with the Roosters.
“A major factor in my desire to play next year was to try to go back to back, because it hasn’t been done for so long,” he added.
“I know it will be hard for me to force my way back into the New Zealand rugby [union] set-up, but [another season in NRL] was just something I felt was right and I just went with my heart in the end.
“I decided that I wanted to stay with the boys because it is tough leaving when you are a part of the start of a successful thing.”
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