Rugby: Code breakers keep the dream alive

Sonny Bill Williams is happy seeing other league stars make the switch to NFL and rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams believes Jarryd Hayne can open doors in the NFL just like he did when swapping between league and rugby.

Hayne has been a sensation during his limited time at the San Francisco 49ers and Williams said after being included in the All Blacks' World Cup squad that success could have a flow-on effect in Australia and New Zealand.

Williams, hampered by a knee injury in recent weeks which he said was now fine, has moved between the NRL and Super Rugby without too many issues in terms of performance. His high points have included two titles with the Chiefs and some outstanding performances for the All Blacks, including the test victory alongside Aaron Cruden against Ireland in Hamilton in 2012.

Australia's Israel Folau and England's Sam Burgess have also swapped codes and will represent their countries at the upcoming World Cup, but Williams said Hayne showed the NFL was an option for young athletes, too.

"It's cool to see that [after] coming over six or seven years ago to rugby and being able to make it," Williams said of his own experience. "A lot of these guys have seen that and it's opened that door where they think, 'oh, it's not too far a reach'. It's awesome to see Sam Burgess make that World Cup squad and I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes. I don't really need to talk about Israel Folau because he's already at the top of his game. For a forward in league, it's all about hard work and tackles and hit-ups. In rugby you're looking for space. I don't see the game as too different. A lot of people make a big deal that rugby is a lot harder than league or league is a lot harder. I used to think they were two totally different games but they're two quite similar games, actually. As long as you have that focus and mental aptitude no matter what your game — as you can see with Jarred Hayne — you can make it."

Asked if Hayne could be the first of many from Down Under to make the switch to the NFL, Williams said: "I hope so. I'm obviously really pleased for Hayne, because he's chased his dream. Hopefully that's turned a switch on in some of those NFL clubs — that they see if this guy can come over and make it look this easy maybe we should be looking at schools and the younger generation of Polynesians and Islanders in New Zealand and Australia. Hopefully that opens some doors for them."

Williams' days with the All Blacks might be numbered, although it is always hard to tell with him. The 30-year-old was included in the New Zealand sevens squad for next year's Rio Olympics but, typically, he is playing his cards close.

"Maybe, I'm not too sure," he said about whether the World Cup would be his All Blacks swansong. "My mindset after the World Cup is that obviously I'd like to be part of the sevens squad but, at this stage, for me it's about worrying about today, tomorrow, next week."

With Ma'a Nonu playing as well as ever in the No12 jersey, Williams' playing minutes in the knockout stages of the World Cup might be limited, just as they were four years ago.

"I'm confident that if I get that No12 jersey I'll be able to handle it, just like every other player in the squad. We're lucky to have world-class players in each position but you've just got to take your shot when you can."