Sonny Bill Williams will play his first test for the Kiwis in five years when they open their World Cup campaign against Samoa on Monday morning (NZT).

The Sonny Bill Williams saga over, the Ma'a Nonu saga, which was thought to be coming to an end, has found the energy to twist back into life.

Billy Slater insists bad memories of Australia's shock defeat to New Zealand in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final will have no influence at the looming 2013 tournament.

A snake was found inside the New Zealand Rugby League World Cup squad's training base at Narrabeen, much to the surprise of the players,including Sonny Bill Willams. Alex Glenn (misfit4) posted the action to Instagram.

The first thing Sonny Bill Williams will do when he gets into camp with the Kiwis tomorrow is address the squad and talk about what has happened, writes Richie Barnett.

Herald scribes Andrew Alderson and Michael Brown discuss what should SBW be doing?. Sonny Bill Williams has said he changed his mind about playing in the World Cup after having some time to think about how much representing New Zealand really meant to him.

With another NRL grand final winners' medal in his possession, Sonny Bill Williams appears to be on the brink of announcing a return to rugby.

The Sydney media has wanted a grand final containing two local teams; but more specifically they desired the involvement of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran points to the closeness of the Sea Eagles group as the key to the NRL club defying the trend of the salary cap era.

Daly Cherry-Evans has sought to finally quash rumours he is unhappy at Manly.

NRL referees boss Daniel Anderson says the standard of officiating has been vastly improved.

Russell Packer has emerged as a prime target of the Newcastle Knights and it is becomingly increasingly likely the popular prop won't be at Mt Smart next season.