After months of feverish speculation, the brief New Zealand Rugby Union release confirming Sonny Bill Williams' signing was almost an anti-climax but its final paragraph was especially revealing.
The first seven paragraphs of the release which arrived at 3.30pm today were standard enough fare, but then came: "Specific details of William's (sic) contract are confidential, however he retains the option to take part in a limited number of professional boxing fixtures.''
So rather than learning the lessons of his past year in which he failed to live up to his potential as a rugby player because of his obsession with boxing, he's going straight back to the ring as soon as he gets a chance.
The NZRU said Williams was unavailable for comment today as he "is on leave overseas''.
His tweet yesterday suggested he was going to Panama. Or maybe not, it's hard to tell with Williams.
His tweet this afternoon: "I hear hamilton is nice'', proved an accurate indicator and it would have been cruel to excite rugby fans in Chiefs territory only to then confirm he had signed with the Blues - who were also in the market for the midfielder - but he has never done anything by the book.
That will continue.
Williams fought two opponents in the ring in this year of all years - forklift driver Scott Lewis on the Gold Coast in January and sickness beneficiary Alipate Liava'a in Auckland in June.
Both bouts resulted in points victories for Williams, who took the second fight particularly seriously.
While in South Africa with the Crusaders in the month before the fight, Williams trained extremely hard with manager Khoder Nasser whenever he got the chance.
While his performances with the team were good initially, they trailed off and it's understood this extra workload and mental pressure had a lot to do with this drift in form.
Williams spoke privately of his relief in getting the Liava'a fight out of the way.
But he failed to secure his preferred second-five position ahead of Ma'a Nonu and was disappointed to be left out of the All Blacks squad for the final Tri Nations match against Australia in Brisbane.
He had promised to make an announcement about his intentions before the World Cup but made a U-turn in the days leading up the tournament, saying he had informed both the Chiefs and Blues that "I don't want to make a hasty decision, it's not right for myself or my family.''
He also said all options were still on the table, including a move overseas.
Having played seven tests, he appeared set to play a bit-part in the World Cup for the All Blacks, which would have probably forced him to look overseas for his immediate future.
But instead he was given a chance on the wing - starting in the position in the quarter-final against Argentina after playing there off the reserves bench in the pool games against Japan and France - and took to it extremely well.
While he lacked extreme pace and was not as good under the high ball as Richard Kahui or Cory Jane, his workrate was good and he did all that was asked of him.
His ability to play wing means he is more likely to be included in an All Blacks' match-day squad. It has effectively secured his future in New Zealand, at least in the short term.
His non-appearance at the All Blacks victory parades in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington last week added to mounting speculation that he could depart these shores.
Instead he is joining the Chiefs where he will be part of a slick backline including Brendon Leonard, Aaron Cruden, Kahui, Lelia Masaga and Tim Nanai-Williams.
The forward pack under new coach Dave Rennie is nowhere near as impressive and Williams could find the derby matches against the Crusaders and Blues carry a little more spice in 2012.
Still, as long as he likes Hamilton.
