League convert Williams to represent Canterbury
Rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams has chosen New Zealand province Canterbury as a launching pad for his bid to break into the All Blacks squad for the 2011 World Cup.
The 24-year-old, who signed a New Zealand Rugby Union contract this month after two years in France with Toulon, will play in the provincial competition starting next month before joining Super rugby side the Canterbury Crusaders next year.
"I made my decision to join Canterbury and the Crusaders because that's where I think I will best develop as a rugby player," Williams said in a statement on Thursday.
"It will be an easier transition to go from Canterbury to the Crusaders and it means I won't have to go from town to town."
Williams, who walked out of Australian rugby league side Canterbury Bulldogs mid-way through his contract to join Toulon, is expected to start his provincial rugby career with Canterbury on July 30, when they host Hawke's Bay.