Sonny Bill Williams is expected to stay with NRL premiers Sydney Roosters next season after knocking back an offer from New Zealand Rugby Union.

The NZRU confirmed Williams’ decision on Friday on the official All Blacks Twitter account.

“@SonnyBWilliams NOT coming back to play rugby for @ChiefsRugby and #AllBlacks in 2014. It is likely he will be playing for the Roosters,” it wrote.

“Disappointing but we put our best foot forward, & in the end @SonnyBWilliams made his decision, NZ Rugby’s Neil Sorensen said.”

Superstar dual international Williams had been weighing up a return to New Zealand rugby with the world champion All Blacks and Super Rugby champions the Chiefs since helping the Roosters to the NRL title on Sunday.

The NZRU said it understood Williams had informed the Roosters he would return to them for the 2014 season.

Sorenson, the NZRU general manager of professional rugby, indicated they would leave the door open for Williams if he wanted to return in 2015 ahead of the Rugby World Cup that year.

“We obviously worked pretty hard to bring Sonny home, and we have had some really good conversations with him,” he said.

“This is disappointing but we know we put our best foot forward, and in the end Sonny has made his decision.

“As we do with many players who leave New Zealand, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with him about his playing career.”

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie took a similar line after failing to get Williams back to the Hamilton-based Super Rugby franchise where he won a title in 2012.

“While we are disappointed that Sonny won’t be with us in 2014 now, well be keen to keep talking to him about future options,” said Rennie.