Sonny Bill Williams ... superstar forward hasn't played for New Zealand since 2008. Source: AAP
Only 80 minutes now stand between Sonny Bill Williams and his return to Test action.
New Zealand will name their team on Sunday to take on the Kangaroos in Canberra on Friday week, and Kiwi Test coach Stephen Kearney has all but given the code-hopping superstar the green light to take the next step in his comeback.
Without giving up his team before it is announced, Kearney pretty much admitted the Sydney Roosters recruit only needs to get through Friday night's match against Canterbury-Bankstown to get a call-up.
"I will sit down with the other selectors and have a look at what is best for New Zealand and go from there," Kearney said.
"But I would say he is a good chance, yeah. It is good for our game to have him back."
Asked if he was surprised at how quickly Williams has fitted back into the NRL after five years out of the code, Kearney said: "I probably thought it would take him a little longer but it is a real credit to him the way he has applied himself.
"Each game he has got better and better. It was a measured approach from him.
"He wasn't trying to overplay his hand, he was just doing his job really well.
"The type of athlete he is and what he has physically, the rest was always going to look after itself."
Kearney spoke with Williams before the start of the season to gauge his interest in making a return to the New Zealand Test team and right from the start the World Cup-winning All Black showed genuine interest.
"We spoke before the season kicked off about his interest in playing for the Kiwis," Kearney said.
"The thing he wanted to do was just get back and play footy and I appreciated that.
"As the rounds ticked over we got in touch again."
Kearney said the last time they spoke was after the Roosters' round-three match against the Broncos, with whom Kearney is an assistant coach.
After his five-star performance in the 50-0 thrashing of the Eels a week later, Williams publicly confirmed that if selected he would be willing to play.
And after coming through Monday's loss to Canberra fit and healthy, he now just needs to get through Friday night's clash to make his Test footy return against the Kangaroos.
"We will sit down over the next few days and work through a side," Kearney said.
"No doubt he will come into contention somewhere."
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