Sonny Bill Williams could be the greatest rugby league convert to rugby union ever, according to former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
Jones saw Williams up close when his club Saracens beat Williams’s French team Toulon 32-27 in a trial match yesterday – and he liked what he saw.
He said the New Zealander would soon become an All Black “for sure”, and said he could eclipse fellow league converts Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers.
“Potentially, he’s the best ever convert from rugby league to rugby,” Jones told News Limited.
“Sonny Bill is going to be exceptional as a rugby player. It’s that simple.
“He’s dynamic. He’s very tough. He has enough speed for the centres and, against Saracens, he was squeezing balls between players or around them with great off-loading in tackles.
“He’ll be in the All Blacks squad for the 2011 World Cup for sure. The big intrigue is what route he’ll take to get there in his best position as inside centre.”
Williams played at outside centre against Saracens, but former and current players have called for him to be moved closer to the action at breakaway or No.8.
The former Bulldogs star caused a sensation when he walked out on a five-year contract with the NRL club to join French rugby.
