By Jim Kayes
Sonny Bill Williams' manager Khoder Nasser has confirmed to 3 News an announcement about whether Williams will stay with rugby union or switch to rugby league will be made in the next few weeks.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says he knows what his star player will do after this year, but isn't saying.
However one man whose Chiefs future is certain is first-five Aaron Cruden.
Cruden was a spectator at Chiefs training today but the injured All Black's confident he'll be fit to play the Highlanders on Friday.
“The next few days are pretty critical. I'll be working hard with the medical team here, go have a scan on the Achilles to see if that can show us anything else, but at the moment I’m pretty optimistic that I’ll be on the plane down to Dunedin.”
Rennie is just as optimistic Cruden will again partner Sonny Bill Williams after their superb form in the All Blacks' 60-0 thrashing of Ireland on Saturday.
Williams played every minute of the three tests against Ireland and will take only a limited part in the Chiefs training this week.
“[I’m a] little bit sore, but just seeing the boys this morning, the brothers, it's good to be back here and looking forward to playing this week.”
While Williams and Cruden will start, Sam Cane's position is less certain despite a superb performance in Richie McCaw’s jersey against Ireland.
“Tanera Latimer, who's been in the form of his life has been fantastic for us,” Rennie says.
“Sam's been great as well and he was certainly a big contributor on the weekend. I think they'll probably both get opportunities over the next two or three weeks and that will help influence us as to who gets the big games.”
With three rounds left, the top-of-the-table Chiefs probably need to pick up one more win against either the Highlanders, Crusaders or Hurricanes before they're sure of making the playoffs.
3 News