By Hamish McKay
Sonny Bill Williams is leaving the Chiefs but he has no intention of tonight’s super rugby semi-final against the Crusaders being his last game for the New Zealand conference-topping team.
The Chiefs are hoping they don’t have to piggy-back off Sonny Bill Williams to knock over the seven-time Super rugby champions for a place in the final.
“The Crusaders are a class outfit of internationals all over the paddock, all big game players, we're young but I think we've shown enough to earn respect and compete at this level,” says Williams.
It's mental toughness - the top two inches - that will count tonight.
“Most teams try to niggle me now and then but I’ve been round long enough to concentrate on my job and do it to the best I can,” says Williams.
Williams admits he's sad to be leaving what he calls his “Chiefs brothers” but his departure isn't a motivating factor.
“This is why we play the game. If you can’t get up for a game like this then what are you doing? For me, I just want to finish this great Chiefs season on a high,” he says.
Once a Crusader, now a bona fide Chief, Sonny Bill Williams is seemingly confident his Chiefs season won't end tonight.
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