Rugby: SBW turned ABs into league fans

Code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams' league exploits with the Roosters made an impression on his All...
Code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams' league exploits with the Roosters made an impression on his All Black teammates.
Rugby league fans within the All Blacks camp are coming out of the woodwork now that Sonny Bill Williams is back doing his thing.

Williams has charged back into New Zealand's first-choice team for Saturday's union test against England at Twickenham, a return that is fully deserved if dedication is the measuring stick, according to teammates.

Halfback Aaron Smith says Williams seems to spend the bulk of every day either stretching, watching computer clips to improve his game or talking tactics with coaches and teammates.

An in-house aura follows the 29-year-old, whose NRL deeds for the Roosters over the past two years made for regular viewing from many within the New Zealand rugby camp.

"The boys have admired him in the sense of a fan, which we have been while he was playing league," Smith said.

Hooker Dane Coles says Williams proved in his first test back against the United States last weekend that he possesses all his former attacking clout.

"I'm a massive league fan so I'm pretty stoked to get out and have a run with him," Coles said.

"It's pretty exciting what he can do. You don't see too many guys who can switch codes like that and have the sort of impact he did."

Another excited teammate is five-eighth Aaron Cruden, who will reprise his old Super Rugby partnership with Williams at the Chiefs next year.

Cruden says Williams is a phenomenal athlete who only gets better because he never stops asking questions.

"And for guys like us who aren't the biggest in the team, it's nice to look outside you and see a guy like Sonny."

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