Sonny Bill Williams’ cousin makes rugby league switch

Cousin of Sonny Bill Williams, Phillip Makatoa has signed for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL.

The front-rower has spent time at the Sydney Roosters in their lower grades and played NSW Cup for the NZ Warriors in 2019 and he has now impressed enough to earn a Bulldogs contract.

Sonny Bill Williams retired from rugby league and union to focus on his boxing career back in March of this year.

Williams, who won two rugby union World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015, has had a few forays in boxing since a first professional bout in 2009, but the 35-year-old was planning to take it more seriously after building a gym in southern Sydney.

In an interview with the Nine Network, Williams said, “I spoke to my manager, I said: ‘I’m keen to get back into the ring, I’ve got a couple of years, I’m 35.'”

“I spoke to the wife first and she had blank eyes, but like usual she supported me.

“I want to know how I will go in six months instead of six weeks.”