Chiefs Super Rugby coach Dave Rennie continues to keep a place open in his team for Sonny Bill Williams but he doesn't know if the rugby league star will accept an offer tabled to return next year.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has offered Williams a three-year contract, with a proposal that the 28-year-old see out his NRL season with the Roosters, play in the rugby league World Cup and then return to Hamilton next year to renew his ties with the Chiefs.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew told the Herald on Sunday that Williams' ultimate preference is to play for the Chiefs and be part of the All Blacks campaign at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
There is flexibility in the offer made to Williams, potentially allowing the multi-skilled sports star to return to the Chiefs in 2015, as long as he signs well in advance to do so.
While Rennie expects Williams to return to the two-time defending Super Rugby champions, he remains uncertain whether it will be next year.
He expects to hear from Williams next month and says there are provisions in his squad selection for the 19-Test midfield back to play in 2014.
"Obviously we've held a position open for him and there's plenty of time for us to see what happens," Rennie told the Waikato Times.
"Sonny's his own man and he'll make that decision a little bit clearer later next month."
New Zealand rugby league coach Stephen Kearney says he plans to meet Williams and his manager Khoder Nasser this weekend to ascertain the second-rower's availability for the World Cup hosted by England and Wales in October and November.
