New Zealand 
Fabrizio Copano appears on BBC podcast Comedians vs. The News
4 years ago
Sonny Bill Williams is a multi-code athlete, excelling in rugby league, rugby union, and professional boxing, providing a versatile appeal for brand collaborations.
Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams signed a multi-year contract to become a global brand ambassador for Adidas.
The Fordham Company announced that Sonny Bill Williams signed a deal with the Nine Network and Stan Sport.
Sonny Bill Williams is the face of clothing label Just Jeans.
Sonny Bill Williams is a brand ambassador for BMW.
Sonny Bill Williams has had endorsement deals with Powerade.
Sonny Bill Williams has had endorsement deals with Rebel Sport.
In December 2015, Williams served as an ambassador for UNICEF, visiting Lebanon with Mike McRoberts in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of Syrian refugee children.
Sonny William Williams was born on August 3, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up in a working-class family, his early life was marked by challenges, including a severe burn injury at age four. Despite a difficult upbringing, Williams displayed exceptional athletic talent from a young age, distinguishing himself in various sports. His pursuit of professional rugby league was motivated by a desire to provide for his family. He attended Owairaka School, Wesley Intermediate, and Mount Albert Grammar School.
Williams began his rugby league career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, making his National Rugby League (NRL) debut at 18 in 2004. In his rookie year, he contributed to the Bulldogs’ premiership victory and was named RLIF Awards’ International Newcomer of the Year. He earned his first cap for the New Zealand national rugby league team, the Kiwis, in 2004. In 2008, Williams controversially transitioned to rugby union, joining French club Toulon. This move sparked a new phase of his career, showcasing his adaptability across different codes. In 2010, he returned to New Zealand rugby union, playing for Canterbury and making his All Blacks debut. He notably became the first person since 1921 to represent New Zealand in rugby union after having an international rugby league career. Williams won the Rugby World Cup twice with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, becoming one of only 44 players to achieve this distinction.
His career saw further transitions, including a return to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters in 2013, where he won another premiership and was named RLIF International Player of the Year. He later played rugby sevens for New Zealand, competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Williams also maintained a professional boxing career, holding the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight Championship and the World Boxing Association (WBA) International Heavyweight Championship before retiring from both rugby codes in March 2021. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his athletic achievements and his involvement in community initiatives, such as his work with UNICEF.
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