jennings horst: New Zealand Rugby Union attempt to lure Sonny Bill Williams back to All Blacks

By Nik Simon

PUBLISHED: 07:33 EST, 11 August 2013 | UPDATED: 07:35 EST, 11 August 2013

The New Zealand Rugby Union are hoping to lure Sonny Bill Williams back to the All Blacks in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Reports in New Zealand suggest the 28-year-old has been offered a three-year contract that would see him switch codes from rugby league to rugby union before next year's Super Rugby championships.

Williams is one of the most gifted New Zealanders of his generation but his All Blacks career has been balanced with a talent for rugby league and boxing.

Talent: Williams takes on the England defence in the 2010 Autumn Internationals

Code switcher: Williams in action for rugby league's Sydney Roosters in July

The centre is currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in Australia's National Rugby League and if the NZRU succeed in their bid it would be the fourth time Williams has switched codes.

'We have made Sonny and Khoder [Williams' manager] an offer,' said NZRU CEO Steve Tew.

'We have been talking to them and the dialogue has been positive but we don't have any ink on paper.

'We would obviously love Sonny to come back and play rugby here and we have made that clear - it is up to Sonny and Khoder now.'

If the deal goes ahead then Williams will have the opportunity to add to his 19 All Black caps at the forthcoming World Cup in England and Wales.

While there will be no shortage of foreign interest in the player's services, Williams has already indicated that he would like a return to the Hamilton-based Chiefs.