SBW hoping to play Super trial v Waratahs

Sonny Bill Williams says he’ll be ready to face Super Rugby champions the NSW Waratahs in pre-season trial next week – if the Chiefs want him to play.

The dual international is in Sydney preparing for his seventh professional boxing bout – a heavyweight clash with American Chauncy Welliver on Saturday.

Williams, returning to rugby after two seasons in the NRL, said if all goes to plan he will fly back to New Zealand after the fight.

“And then if they decide to bring me over for the trial, I’ll definitely be back,” he said on Wednesday.

The Chiefs are scheduled to play the Waratahs on February 6 at Campbelltown Stadium, in Sydney’s west, ahead of their season-opener against the Blues in Auckland a week later.

It’s looking like a busy year for the 29-year-old, who is already planning more fights after his Chiefs duties and an expected Rugby World Cup call-up.

Friend and promoter Anthony Mundine has flagged a potential bout against NRL star Paul Gallen, who will climb into the ring with former mixed martial arts fighter Randall Rayment on the undercard of Williams’ fight at Allphones Arena this weekend.

“At the end of the season we’ll see if we can get another fight done or a couple of fights,” Williams said.

“The passion, the fire, is burning in the boxing sense and I’m just really enjoying it.

“Hopefully, god willing, this weekend goes really well and then obviously back into the mix on the footy field.”

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