Brad Fittler’s anticipation of having Sonny Bill Williams alongside him for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL Auckland Nines appears forlorn.

Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser has told TVNZ that the dual international won’t be lining up in the two-day tournament next month.

Nasser was commenting on Wednesday after former Kangaroos skipper Fittler, making a comeback at the age of 41, told Sky’s Big Sports Breakfast he would be looking to Williams to compensate for his own defensive frailties.

“He’ll be defending on my side,” Fittler said.

With Williams eyeing off a spot in the New Zealand side at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where rugby union sevens will make its Games debut, the nine-a-side rugby league tournament was seen as an opportunity to provide valuable experience for the two-time NRL premiership winner.