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Sonny Bill Williams has been named in New Zealand’s sevens teams to compete at the Olympics
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His sister Niall was included in the women’s sevens squad to go to Rio on Sunday
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Rugby was last contested at the Olympics 92 years ago when the United States won gold
Sonny Bill Williams has been included in New Zealand’s squad for the rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics.
Scott Curry captains the men’s team and Bill Williams, a veteran of 33 All Blacks Tests, was also included by coach Gordon Tietjens.
The 30-year-old will now look to add Olympic gold to two World Cup winner’s medals and his Super Rugby titles.
But he said the biggest cheer in the Williams house was when his sister Niall was included in the women’s sevens squad to go to Rio on Sunday.
“I’m really proud of making this team, but also very aware of the boys who never made it, and I’m feeling for them,” he said. “And I’m proud of my sister as well, so it’s pretty special for our family today.
“It’s awesome, seeing where she’s come from. She’s a mother of two, and when she first started her journey she wasn’t contracted, and would get up in the early hours to do her training, look after the girls and then train again at night. I’m pretty proud of her.
“I was happy when I got the phone call, but the biggest cheer we got in my house was when my sister made it, We’re all really proud of her.”
New Zealand men: Scott Curry (c), Sam Dickson, D.J. Forbes, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Augustine Pulu, Teddy Stanaway, Regan Ware, Joe Webber, Sonny Bill Williams.
New Zealand women: Shakira Baker, Kelly Brazier, Gayle Broughton, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Sarah Goss (c), Kayla McAlister, Huriana Manuel, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Terina Te Tamaki, Ruby Tui, Niall Williams, Portia Woodman.