Canterbury signs SBW

Sonny Bill Williams will play for Canterbury in the ITM Cup and the Crusaders
in next year's Super 15, the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed on Wednesday night.

The 24-year-old's signing means Hawke's Bay, Counties Manukau and North Harbour have all missed securing the former Toulon and Bulldogs superstar.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney and Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said they were delighted to have Williams on board.

Penney said: "Sonny Bill is an exciting prospect for us. We're all looking forward to
working with him this season and are sure he will fit in very well."

Blackadder added: "We are sure Sonny Bill will do very well with the Crusaders in
2011. We're confident we can help in his development and we're sure he will add a
lot to our game. Sonny Bill is a humble and down-to-earth guy and I know he has a very professional approach."

Williams has stated his aim is to represent the All Blacks at next year's Rugby World Cup and sees Canterbury, particularly the prospect of playing alongside Dan Carter, as the best way to achieve that goal.

Both Penney and Blackadder are sure Williams has made the right choices with a view to developing his game.

Canterbury's first competition game of the season is against Hawke's Bay at AMI
Stadium on Friday, July 30.