# Sonny Bill Williams > New Zealand rugby league and rugby union footballer, and heavyweight boxer **Wikidata**: [Q2481789](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2481789) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Bill_Williams) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sonny-bill-williams ## Summary Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand professional athlete renowned for his dual career in rugby league and rugby union, as well as heavyweight boxing. Born on August 3, 1985, he is celebrated for his versatility and achievements across multiple sports, notably winning two Rugby World Cup titles with the New Zealand national rugby union team, the All Blacks. ## Biography - **Born**: August 3, 1985 - **Nationality**: New Zealand - **Education**: Not specified in the source material - **Known for**: Dual career in rugby league/rugby union and boxing; two-time Rugby World Cup winner - **Employer(s)**: New Zealand national rugby union team (All Blacks), various rugby league and union clubs - **Field(s)**: Professional sports (rugby league, rugby union, boxing) ## Contributions Sonny Bill Williams has achieved distinction in both rugby codes and boxing. Key contributions include: - **Rugby Union**: Member of the All Blacks team that won the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. - **Rugby League**: Played for the New Zealand national rugby league team (Kiwis) and clubs like the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters. - **Boxing**: Competed as a heavyweight boxer, winning his debut match in 2009 and holding a professional boxing record. ## FAQs **What teams has Sonny Bill Williams played for?** Williams has played for the All Blacks (rugby union), New Zealand Kiwis (rugby league), and clubs including Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, and Panasonic Wild Knights. **What are his major sporting achievements?** He won two Rugby World Cup titles (2015, 2019) with the All Blacks and has successfully transitioned between rugby codes and boxing. **When did he start his professional boxing career?** Williams debuted as a professional boxer in 2009, balancing boxing with his rugby career. ## Why They Matter Sonny Bill Williams is significant for his unique ability to excel in multiple high-level sports simultaneously, inspiring athletes to pursue cross-disciplinary careers. His contributions to New Zealand's dominance in rugby union, particularly in World Cup victories, have cemented his legacy in the sport. ## Notable For - **Dual Rugby World Cup Winner**: 2015 and 2019 with the All Blacks. - **Rugby Code Switching**: Successfully transitioned between rugby league and union. - **Professional Boxing Career**: Maintained a boxing career alongside rugby, demonstrating versatility. - **Cultural Impact**: Recognized for his Māori heritage and advocacy for social issues. ## Body ### Early Life and Career Beginnings Sonny Bill Williams was born on August 3, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand. He began his professional sports career in rugby league, debuting for the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004. His early career was marked by both athletic promise and controversy, including a highly publicized contract dispute. ### Rugby League Career Williams played for the Canterbury Bulldogs (2004–2008) and Sydney Roosters (2010–2011) in the NRL. He represented the New Zealand Kiwis in rugby league, earning 14 caps and participating in the 2008 World Cup. His rugby league career was interspersed with boxing matches, showcasing his multi-sport prowess. ### Transition to Rugby Union In 2008, Williams transitioned to rugby union, joining the Toulon club in France. He later signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union, debuting for the All Blacks in 2010. With the All Blacks, he won the 2011 Tri Nations and the 2012 and 2013 Rugby Championships. ### Rugby World Cup Success Williams played a key role in the All Blacks' 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup victories. His performance in the 2015 tournament, including a crucial offload in the final against Australia, highlighted his skill and impact on the game. ### Boxing Career Parallel to his rugby career, Williams pursued professional boxing. He debuted in 2009, winning his first match against Richard Tutaki. As of the source material's cutoff, he maintained an undefeated boxing record, though boxing took a secondary role to his rugby commitments. ### Club Rugby and Later Career Williams played for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's Top League and returned to New Zealand for Super Rugby with the Chiefs and Blues. His later career saw him balance club commitments with international rugby and occasional boxing matches. ### Cultural and Social Influence Beyond sports, Williams is recognized for his Māori heritage and advocacy for social justice. He has been involved in charitable initiatives and has used his platform to address issues such as racism and inequality. ### Legacy Sonny Bill Williams' legacy lies in his unprecedented success across multiple sports. His ability to excel in both rugby codes and boxing, coupled with his contributions to New Zealand's sporting achievements, has made him a celebrated figure in global athletics. His career serves as an inspiration for athletes exploring multi-sport careers and highlights the importance of adaptability and perseverance. ## References 1. BoxRec 2. Rugby League Project 3. World Rugby 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Google Knowledge Graph 7. Library of Congress Control Number