New Zealand Rugby League would welcome Sonny Bill Williams back with open arms if he returns to the code, but say he must prove his form to be picked for the Kiwis.
Williams is expected to be unveiled as Toronto Wolfpack’s star new signing next week, returning him to the 13-man game from rugby for the first time since 2014.
While Kangaroos rules preclude players who ply their trade overseas from being picked for Australia, there is no such rule for the Kiwis.
Playmaker Thomas Leuluai is one such player to have routinely represented New Zealand while playing in the English Super League, among others this century.
And New Zealand Rugby League chief Greg Peters said there was no reason why Williams couldn’t do similar, after last representing the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup.
“We have an open-door policy with New Zealand eligible players, and like any other player there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be considered on form,” Peters told AAP.
“If he plays well enough I would be sure he would be welcomed back into the fold.
“If the reports are to be believed it’s a very exciting development for the code.
“It’s a great coup for the Toronto Wolfpack to have him involved, and great for the code and the game. That’s great from our perspective.”
New Zealand have the Oceania Cup on their agenda next year in the form a of a mid-year and end-of-season Tests, and a World Cup the year following.
The Wolfpack’s schedule would likely mean Williams would only be available for the end-of-year Test.
But Peters has warned it wouldn’t just be a certainty that Williams would be picked if available, given he has been out of the code for five years.
Michael Maguire has recently taken over and tried to instil pride in a young Kiwis jersey, that has Briton Nikora, Kenny Bromwich, Adam Blair and Corey Harawira-Naera playing as back-rowers.
Williams is now aged 34, and has also struggled with injuries in recent years for the All Blacks.
“Sonny’s been out of the code for five years. Like anyone that has been out of the game for that long it is how they come back into the frame,” Peters said.
“I guess Michael Maguire would be watching that and assessing his form against other candidates in the position he would play.
“He’s been known in recent years for both his own preparation and the impact he has on younger players within the environment.
“But having said that we have a very strong group of Kiwis who have been loyal to the black-and-white shirt for a number of years now ahead of the 2021 World Cup.”