Chiefs won't be relying on Sonny Bill next year

Sonny Bill Williams in action for the Chiefs. Photo / Getty

The Chiefs hope to field Sonny Bill Williams whenever he may be available next year.

The franchise is still figuring out exactly whether the star back may be free to play at various points during Super Rugby, having committed to the Rio Sevens campaign.

The Chiefs will play Williams if available, but CEO Andrew Flexman won't heavily rely on his services.

"We'd love to have him available, but at the same time - as we always think we do here - we think we're pulling a good squad next year, we think we've got good depth. we can cope with life without Sonny albeit that he's one of the world's premiere athletes."

He said they're still working through the fine print, and hope Williams could be available at times.

"We're probably planning on the basis that we won't Sonny available to us much, if at all. But that's not to say, depending on how things play out, that he won't be available to us."

Liam Messam is off contract with the Chiefs, so won't take part in any Super Rugby next year.

But it's not all negative news for the Chiefs' line up. The All Blacks' loss of Aaron Cruden is turning out to be the Chiefs' gain. The Super Rugby franchise is counting on having the injured pivot ready for the start of next season.

Flexman said Cruden's recovery is tracking well and he should join the squad for its full pre-season campaign.

"He will assemble with the full squad in late November, which from our perspective - we're obviously hugely disappointed from around the Rugby World Cup, but excited to have a guy of his calibre from the get go."