Sonny Bill Williams' football future is expected to be revealed in a fortnight, as sources in France suggest the superstar will join Tana Umaga at Counties Manukau for this season's NPC rugby competition.
Sunday News can reveal Umaga's deal to play for the Steelers from June is close to being completed, after the province put together an off-field package to set the former All Blacks' captain up for life after rugby.
Williams quit league and the Bulldogs to sign up for Toulon, mainly to be with Umaga – who mentored, coached and even played alongside him in the glamour French team.
Umaga and Williams made a private visit to the touring Kiwis side late last year and SBW told his old team-mates he was homesick in France.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has been in touch with Williams, who needs to play in the 2011 Super 15 to make it into the black jersey for next year's World Cup.
To get a Super Rugby contract, the 24-year-old needs to play in this season's NPC. At Counties, the former league sensation would be close to his Auckland home and be able to experience New Zealand rugby without the pressures of being in a big team.
He would also be able to make the Chiefs next year, possibly linking with pin-up centre Richard Kahui to form a potential All Blacks mid-field – and certainly a marketing dream for attracting female fans.
French reporters are currently chasing the Williams-Umaga move to Counties story.
Asked about the rumour, Williams' agent Khoder Nasser, who has been in France for a fortnight, told Sunday News yesterday: "I'm back in Australia now. In regards to Sonny, I need two weeks and after that I will probably give an official statement on what he's doing."
Earlier this month, Nasser replied to a request to speak to Williams about his future with an email saying: "I have spoken to Sonny and he does not wish to do any interviews at the moment.
"He wants to concentrate on his rugby."
Yesterday, the Australian Rugby Union declared they had no interest in signing Williams.
"We certainly wouldn't be out there chasing him. He's not on our radar," Wallabies high performance director David Nucifora told the Sun Herald.
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