Rugby: Sonny Bill set for Chiefs... if he stays in NZ

Sonny Bill Williams has given nothing away. Photo / Getty Images

The Sonny Bill saga will reach a conclusion tomorrow with the world's most famous set of initials tipped to now join the Chiefs if he decides to stay in New Zealand.

Williams could just as easily sign with the Blues or head offshore - even the executive team at the New Zealand Rugby Union are genuinely in the dark about what they will hear. But they will hear something as anyone wanting to be picked for Super Rugby has to give a commitment by October 31.

It's not necessarily been a surprise that Williams has left his decision so late. Since he returned to New Zealand, it has become increasingly apparent that Williams and his entourage love a touch of drama. The simple can be made complicated - the non-dramatic can become a stage production and clearly Williams and his manager, Khoder Nasser, like to do things a little differently.

Williams was the only man in the All Black World Cup squad whose future was not confirmed beyond this year. Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Brad Thorn, Ma'a Nonu, Cory Jane - all 29 bar Williams - had contracts signed as per the wishes of the NZRU.

From about June he was talking as if he would be staying. Then the NZRU virtually confirmed he would be until it was revealed that Williams hadn't actually signed anything. He and his management team had only given verbal assurances which were withdrawn when the All Blacks returned from their final Tri Nations game in Brisbane.

Suddenly Williams was no longer sure. He wouldn't be signing anything until after the World Cup. No one was particularly happy about that but that was his right.

It left Williams seven days to make his mind up and unless everyone - the NZRU, the Blues and the Chiefs - are being economical with the truth, it would seem no one has any firm grasp on what the outcome is going to be.

Williams has proven an impossible man to read and Nasser has given nothing away. The only certainty given by Williams is that if he stays, he will play for either the Chiefs or the Blues. He has formally told the Crusaders he won't be back.

From about June onwards the Blues were confident they were the frontrunners. They had just secured Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu and had made the semifinals - reasonable carrots they felt. There were also some rumblings about Williams wanting to actually live and play in his home town. Born and bred in Auckland, Williams shifted to Sydney when he was 18, then played for Toulon and has been mainly based in Christchurch since he returned to New Zealand.

But in the last week there have been even more rumblings about the Chiefs being the likely destination. Williams has built a rapport with All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith who will be joining the Chiefs in 2012 as technical director.