Code-hopping All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams will stay in rugby union, according to friend Anthony Mundine.
Williams, 32, who has represented New Zealand at both rugby union and rugby league as well as a brief stint as a professional boxer, has been continuously linked with a return to the NRL, where he last played for the Sydney Roosters in 2014.
However, the blockbuster midfielder has no intention of walking away from the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby before the 2019 World Cup, close friend Mundine told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I feel he'll stay in rugby," Mundine said.
Mundine also said that rugby's popularity as a global sport was a key reason for Williams to stay in the 15 man code.
"As great as rugby league is, rugby is the world game. Lots of countries play it all over Europe and South Africa, it's massive."
"I went to South Africa to watch him play a [Super Rugby] game and they had fans waiting outside the hotel room. It's a big thing. It's the biggest sport over there. It's crazy."
The 42-year old concluded by stating that while Williams' chances of returning to the NRL were slim, he hadn't closed such a door on himself.
"People say [an NRL return] can't be done. If I put my mind and soul into it, it can be done."
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