Sonny Bill Williams turns up as 'surprise coach' for Irish U13 team

Williams, who is training for his next boxing match with the one and only Tyson Fury, took time out from his training to do a bit of coaching.

mages of the pair's meeting were shared by Sonny Bill Williams on Twitter as the Kiwi prepares for his March 23 bout against fellow former NRL star Barry Hall.

The 36-year-old managed to secure some time in the ring with Fury, the current WBC Heavyweight world champion, after revealing he is fully focused on boxing following his retirement from rugby league.

As a boxer, Williams is undefeated in eight fights and is hoping victory over Hall can secure him bigger fights over the next three years.

Incredibly, Williams couldn't find a place for former team-mates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who played a combined 260 test matches for the All Blacks.

Williams said: "You just have to watch some of his highlights videos on the football field to realise what a talent he is. He’s another guy who can just create something out of nothing and I don’t think gets the credit he deserves."

Williams said: "He’s a player I’ve loved watching over the years and I don’t think he gets the acknowledgement he deserves. He was one the best players – if not the best player – for the Australian team in the World Cup. Just his skillset, and you can tell that he’s got his stuff together off the field as well."

Williams said: “From my time in France I’d have to say, Thierry Dusautoir. He wasn't just an amazing player, but you can see the way he rallies his troops and how he performed in those big games. He’s someone I really admire.”

Williams said: “He’s someone that stood out because even when I didn’t play rugby I knew who he was. You just have to go back and watch some highlights of him to see how crazy what he did was. You don’t see players these days running through ten blokes on the way to the tryline.”

Williams said: “I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had. When I played with him, he was pretty much at the height of his powers, but the way he dedicated himself to his craft was unbelievable and I learnt a lot from him.”