His two-year deal with the Chiefs from 2015 gives that franchise a strong start for their recruiting and a better grasp on their plans rather than the single season deals SBW's manager insisted on.
Williams is a talented athlete who was starting to develop as an All Black after three seasons of Super rugby and 19 tests including his selection for the World Cup squad. His return at the start of the next World Cup year is the start of his push towards selection in that group with an eye on sevens selection the following year at the 2016 Olympics. Quite how he will fit that in around his Super rugby commitments remains a little fuzzy.
His deferred return to rugby gives others their chance to develop further and make more progress in their international careers.
Ma'a Nonu will not want to share national duties at second five-eighths or shift out a place as he had to on occasions when SBW first appeared. Nonu has 88 caps and is one rock in the All Black backline the selectors do not want to disturb.
Francis Saili, Tom Taylor and Ryan Crotty get all this year to work on their skills and match management while SBW is playing league across the Ditch.
He will return to the Chiefs with a much better rugby knowledge and intuition than he had when he turned up in 2010. He has all the skills to switch into his new code quickly but some of the nuances will be a touch fuzzy.
Team patterns and styles will have altered but unless something happens, he will have the advantage of playing outside Aaron Cruden at the Chiefs and that should offer a fast-track remedial course.
Williams will need to be on the money and off the injury list to convince the All Black selectors he is ready to emulate Brad Thorn who bounced back and forth across the Tasman between codes.
Thorn played 12 tests in his first rugby stint, had a three-year spell away from the game and then added another 47 tests and a World Cup winner's medal alongside Williams in 2011.
He was a dedicated professional who coped with the code changes especially second time around.
Williams gives every impression he is equally committed to whatever craft he pursues.
He will be 28 when he returns and should be in his prime during a Super rugby audition for the All Blacks' brief four test schedule before their tilt at the 2015 World Cup.
- By Wynne Gray of the New Zealand Herald.
