Sonny Bill Williams will play for Canterbury in the 2010 ITM Cup and the Crusaders in next year’s expanded Super Rugby competition.

Canterbury head coach Rob Penney and Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said they were delighted to have Williams on board.

Penney said: “Sonny Bill is an exciting prospect for us. We’re all looking forward to working with him this season and are sure he will fit in very well.”

Blackadder said: “We are sure Sonny Bill will do very well with the Crusaders in 2011. We’re confident we can help in his development and we’re sure he will add a lot to our game. Sonny Bill is a humble and down-to-earth guy and I know he has a very professional approach.”

Sonny Bill Williams joins Canterbury and the Crusaders from French club Toulon. He has stated that his aim is to represent the All Blacks at next year’s Rugby World Cup and both Penney and Blackadder are sure he has made the right choices with a view to developing his game.

The signing of the 24-year-old former rugby league star is a coup for Canterbury and the Crusaders as several provinces and franchises around New Zealand were interested in getting him on board.

Canterbury’s full squad will be announced at a function for media and sponsors at AMI Stadium on Monday, July 5. 

Canterbury’s first competition game of the season is against Hawke’s Bay at AMI Stadium on Friday, July 30.