Rugby: All Blacks ready to welcome Sonny Bill

Sonny Bill Williams is expected to make an announcement on his playing future tonight. Photo / Getty Images

Successful league convert Brad Thorn tips "amazing athlete" Sonny Bill Williams to make a big impact in rugby as the former Kiwis international prepares to confirm his playing future tonight.

Williams is expected to make an announcement on Australian television tonight, widely reported to be confirmation he has signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for a crack at the All Blacks later this year.

Thorn, who quit the All Blacks to return to league with the Brisbane Broncos and won a National Rugby League (NRL) premiership in 2006 before crossing back to black again, was excited about 24-year-old Williams potentially becoming a teammate.

"I can't speak highly enough of him as an athlete. Usually you hear hype about a guy but they usually don't fulfil that," Thorn told reporters at the All Blacks' team hotel in New Plymouth today.

"When I went back to league I thought he was every bit like the hype about him. He's an amazing athlete, he's probably an inch shorter than I am, about six foot four, his footwork ... he's an explosive, powerful, natural footballer.

"I think he'd go really well and it sounds like he's really starting to warm up over in Europe. It could be quite exciting to see him play."

All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter broke into a grin at the suggestion of combining with Williams for the Crusaders, who are in the running for his services in next year's Super 15.

"If he plays in New Zealand it would be great to have him down there. He's a big man and it would be good to have him running off your shoulder every now and then," Carter said.

Carter shared Thorn's assessment of Williams as a top athlete who was fast improving in rugby with a strong finish to his French season at Toulon.

"I haven't had a chance to see him play a full 80 (minutes), to be honest. But just looking at him, he looks like an athlete with real potential, so if they were to get him back that would be great.

"I've heard that he's played a lot better during his second year. It's obviously very tough to adjust but he seems to be improving which is good. He will only get better the more he plays."

- NZPA