Sonny Bill Williams, 28, says he only intends to play rugby into his early 30s as he wants the freedom to spend more time with his family. Photo / Getty Images
Sonny Bill Williams, 28, says he only intends to play rugby into his early 30s as he wants the freedom to spend more time with his family. Photo / Getty Images
Sonny Bill Williams says he's switching from NRL to rugby union because he wants to challenge himself - before retiring relatively early and having children.
Williams, who will return to rugby next season with the Chiefs, has spoken about his future in an interview to promote his signing of aglobal deal with adidas. While the 28-year-old refused to comment on rumours that his new wife Alana Raffie is pregnant he did hint at the want of fatherhood and how he plans to retire from rugby in a few years.
Williams sparked rumours that 20-year-old Raffie was pregnant after referring to her as "mumsy" on social media last month.
The comment was made just before the pair headed off on what was believed to be an overdue honeymoon in Bali following a secret wedding in August, just six months after they began dating.
In an interview with the Australian Daily Telegraph Williams says he didn't sell rights to his secret marriage because it was a private matter.
"To be honest when it comes to my private life with my family, I always try to keep it private because every other aspect of my life is so out there in the media," he said.
"One thing I will say is whatever I try to do in my personal life I try to do it for myself religiously right. The halal way, in Islam, which means the right way. That's all I'll say. In regards to being married, that's something I'll keep to myself."
He said the same applied to commenting on the pregnancy rumours - but did go on to say he wants children once he retires.
When asked if his decision to leave the Sydney Roosters at the end of the 2014 NRL season was about money, he said: "A lot of people tried to play that card about the money. For me it's about putting myself in situations where I want to challenge myself. I'm 28 now and I'd only like to play into my early 30s. I want to be able to run around with my kids."
Raffie shares his Muslim faith, and now lives in his palatial Sydney home with other relatives of his.
The bride has kept a low profile since the wedding but hinted at good news to come early in March when she posted on Facebook: "Big news from the both of us to be announced soon! Some secrets are just too hard to keep :)".
