All Blacks Sevens stand by SBW for Sydney

Despite blunders which almost cost New Zealand the Wellington Sevens title, Sonny Bill Williams is confident he can improve quickly in his latest sporting challenge.

The All Blacks Sevens kept faith with Williams on Monday, selecting him for this weekend’s world series tournament in Sydney.

His bow was eagerly awaited as the All Blacks’ World Cup winner, who is also a two-time NRL premiership winner and New Zealand’s champion heavyweight boxer, now targets a place in the inaugural Olympics sevens.

Yet the multi-talented Williams produced errors along with the odd moment of offloading magic in a mixed display over the weekend before New Zealand managed to eke out a 24-21 win over South Africa in the final.

The 30-year-old happily embraced his rookie tag and admits he had lots of development to come in this format.

“I know that I will get better,” he said.

Williams, who had scored a try with his first touch on Saturday, made two glaring mistakes in Sunday’s final, dropping the ball from the kickoff and delivering an errant offload to help South Africa forge into a 21-7 lead.

Yet New Zealand made a remarkable fight back, with Joe Webber clinching the winning try after the final siren.

“I’m really pleased with how I went this weekend to tell you the truth,” Williams said.

“The pleasing thing is being able to be in an environment where, even though I’m a rookie, everyone wants to help you out.

“I’ve come into this weekend taking it as a massive learning experience and I’m just grateful to be playing in such a talented side.”

He has got the nod for Sydney to get some more Sevens miles under his belt after veteran coach Gordon Tietjens backed him to make the adjustments to his game.

“He’s a perfectionist and he’ll get it right,” Tietjens said.

Fellow All Black Liam Messam has still not recovered from a calf injury to make the 14-man squad while experienced campaigners Scott Curry, Declan O’Donnell, DJ Forbes and Sherwin Stowers remain sidelined.

Dylan Collier and Lewis Ormond have been added to the 12-strong team that competed in Wellington.

New Zealand face Australia, Canada and Portugal in pool A at Sydney from February 6-7.

New Zealand’s win in Wellington took them to third in the world series standings, seven points behind leaders South Africa and five behind second-placed Fiji.

Squad: Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay), Ben Lam (Auckland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato).

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!