Rugby: SBW: No more boxing before World Cup

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Breathe easy, rugby fans, Sonny Bill Williams is fine and he isn't stepping back into the ring any time soon.

"Rugby bro. Rugby, rugby, rugby," was Williams' reply when asked what was next on his agenda. "It is like a weight has lifted off my shoulders now. I just want to knuckle down and concentrate on the Crusaders and hopefully get that call-up."

Williams admitted he was so apprehensive about the possibility of getting hurt and blowing his Rugby World Cup dream he felt like not turning up for last night's comfortable points victory over Alipate Lavia'a. In the end, he came through unscathed.

"I come through good, bro, I come through good. It was great fitness. Mentally, before I went out there tonight at some stages I didn't want to go out there. I was just so nervous, especially being back home in front of my close family and friends. But after going through that I feel like mentally I've come out stronger, not just as a fighter but as a sportsman. It was cool.

"It was a good experience. Obviously we are not the best two fighters in the world. For myself I was in there trying to get the rounds under my belt. I hit him with a couple of good shots at the start and I knew that he wasn't going to drop. Six rounds is a long time in there. With the build-up that I had I knew I had to pace myself."

Williams said he would be definitely be fit for Saturday's Super 15 showdown with the Blues in Timaru.

"No problems at all. I'll probably train [today]. But hopefully our trainer at the Crusaders is a bit lenient on me."

As for boxing, he won't fight between now and the World Cup, but says he will definitely be back in the ring at some stage.

"It is part of me now. I know I have got things to work on but, just like rugby, I am a work in progress."