Sonny Bill Williams retires from both codes

Sonny Bill Williams has retired from rugby league and union to focus on his boxing career.

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 is 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.”

Williams will remembered by Super League fans for failing to live up to the hype with Toronto Wolfpack in 2020, before the Canadian side dropped out and failed to be readmitted to the top-flight

The skilful forward is said to be heading into a mentoring role with Sydney Roosters – the side he played his last rugby league game for in October last year – but that will be as close as Williams will get to the field.

“I was humble enough to understand my knee couldn’t meet the demands, although the mind wanted to, of the week in and week out footy, especially in the NRL,” he said.

A true great.