Sonny Bill Williams is expected to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders against the Waratahs on Friday.

Sport24 

Williams has been sidelined with a leg injury but Crusaders team manager Tony Thorpe said the powerful centre trained on Monday and is expected to be part of the 22-man squad to be announced on Wednesday.

Williams defected from Australia’s National Rugby League and switched codes to join French club Toulon in 2008. He took up boxing while awaiting clearance to play for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders will play their first match since a deadly earthquake struck Christchurch on February 22, although it will be played at Nelson because its home stadium was damaged by the quake which has killed at least 154 people.