Sonny Bill lining up NRL return – and he’s not even left yet!

Sonny Bill Williams is already being linked with a return to rugby league in 2017, before he has even taken up his new two-year deal in rugby union.

Williams, 29, will return to the 15-man code ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, signing a two-year deal with Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs, and ITM Cup team Counties Manukau.

Currently on the sidelines with a thumb injury, Williams is hoping to lead current club the Sydney Roosters to back-to-back NRL Premierships.

But speculation has already begun as to where his future lies beyond his two-year rugby union deal, with a possible return to the Roosters – and rugby league, ahead of the 2017 World Cup – being rumoured by the press Down Under.

He told News Corp: “This is my last year at the Roosters… for now.

“Last year when I came back to the game I didn’t think I would be staying for two years or win the competition.

“Anything is possible.

“I want to have a big end-of-year, not just for myself and family but for the boys because I love it here. Love it.

“The boys are pretty much like my brothers now.

“It took me a few months to get back into the groove of things last year but I have really enjoyed my time back here, not just on the field but off it as well.

“I have got a lot of respect from the footy community, that was one of the main things I wanted to do.”

Sonny Bill helped the All Blacks lift the 2011 Rugby World Cup, before returning to the 13-man code ahead of the 2013 season, playing in the Rugby League World Cup final for New Zealand against Australia at Old Trafford in his first season back.

He started his NRL career with Canterbury Bulldogs before controversially leaving to take up a deal with French rugby union club Toulon in 2008.