Sonny Bill Williams will confirm on Channel Nine's Footy Show tonight that he will reject a six-million-dollar offer from Toulon to return home in a bid to play for the All Blacks.
Williams is in Australia preparing for a boxing bout in Brisbane on June 30.
According to radio reports, he is likely to sign an 18-month contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union - taking him through to a potential World Cup - and has been linked with mentor Tana Umaga at Counties Manukau, while he may opt for the Crusaders in the 2011 Super 15.
Counties Manukau chief executive Andrew Maddock confirmed an offer had been made to Williams, but said he had heard nothing further. The NZRU expects to make an announcement on Thursday evening.
Williams, a former league star who famously walked out of a five year deal with the Bulldogs NRL club in 2008, has just come off his second season in the French Top 14 with Toulon. After injury and a lack of experience halted his progress in year one, he has shown marked improvement in the just completed season.

JAPAN BULLISH ABOUT PNC

His side was unable to account for a largely experimental North Harbour outfit last Friday, but Japan centre Alisi Tupuailei is confident the Brave Blossoms can go on to claim victory in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Japanese will open their account against Fiji in Lautoka this weekend, and while they have only won three games (all against Tonga) in the tournament's four-year history, Tupuailei believes they can all the way this year.
"We're going up there (Fiji and Samoa) to win the Pacific Nations Cup," says Tupuailei.
"If we go into the tournament with the right attitude and a winning mindset, there's no reason why we cannot do it."
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'RODZILLA' COMES HOME

The Melbourne Rebels continue to build their playing roster for the 2011 Super 15 season, adding former Wallabies Mark Gerrard and Rodney Blake to the list as the club prepares for its inaugural campaign.
The 28-year-old Gerrard made his Super debut with the Waratahs in 2002 and moved to the Brumbies the following year. He opted to join Japanese club NTT Communications last year when it became evident he did not figure in Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' plans.
Gerrard said he is excited about the unique opportunity Melbourne presents as he prepares for his 10th Super season.
Prop Rodney Blake, who has been plying his trade in France for the last two years at Bayonne, resumes his career in Australia after a Super Rugby stint with the Queensland Reds in 2005.

CONTEPOMI THE DANGERMAN

Centre Graeme Morrison believes Scotland will have to be wary of the returning Felipe Contepomi and the power of the Argentina pack when it tackles the Pumas in the first test in Tucuman on Saturday.
The first of two tests between the two nations will see Contepomi back in an Argentina jersey for the first time in over a year due to a knee ligament injury, and Morrison knows the Toulon man poses a considerable threat to the tourists.
Morrison said: "Contepomi is able to do whatever it takes to beat defences and he is very clever in that respect, so we'll try to control him in the game. I have played against him a couple of times and I'm familiar with him, but you can never be too sure of what he will do. He has the ability to change his game in a moment. We have to show him massive respect."
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TOP 7s LINE-UP FOR DELHI

Newly-crowned IRB Sevens World Series champion Samoa heads a strong line-up of nations competing in the sevens tournament at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi this October.
Samoa, who secured its first IRB Sevens World Series crown with victory in Edinburgh on May 30, will be joined by reigning Commonwealth Games champion New Zealand, World Cup holder Wales, hosts India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, England, Scotland, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Canada and Guyana in the 16-team tournament held on October 11-12.
Marking one year since sevens' inclusion as an Olympic sport, the tournament will be the first opportunity since that historic moment to witness its successful blend of high-paced action and competitive matches in a multi-sport games environment.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "We firmly believe that the sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games plays an important role in the ongoing development and promotion of rugby around the world. The event continues to attract some of the world's top players, delivering exciting matches and attracting new fans thanks to the remarkable talent of all the international teams competing.
"The sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games has consistently proven successful and this year we are particularly excited that the event is being held in India where rugby is reaching out to new young audiences in a rapidly developing market for our sport."
The pools and tournament schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

TIETJENS' 7s PRODUCTION LINE ROLLS ON

Gordon Tietjens might have failed in his attempt to win an eighth IRB World Sevens Series title, but the master sevens coach is celebrating the naming of another two of his protégés in the All Blacks.
When Victor Vito and Israel Dagg take the field for the All Blacks this weekend against Ireland, Tietjens will see the 33rd and 34th players from his sevens ranks gain full international honours.
Starting with Jonah Lomu in 1994 - the first year he took over as New Zealand coach - Tietjens has helped shape the careers of more than two full All Blacks XVs and countless other NPC and Super Rugby stars.
"It's hugely rewarding to see these guys getting picked for the All Blacks," says Tietjens.
"Sevens has been great for them in terms of opening their eyes to a lot of different things, including playing on a stage in front of 30,000 or 40,000 people. That's huge for them."
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IRB COMMITTED TO GLOBAL INVESTMENT

The International Rugby Board has announced that record investment levels in the development of the game worldwide have been maintained despite the challenging economic climate.
The IRB continued its commitment to global distribution of development funding during 2009 via the £48 million Global Strategic Investment Programme, providing the platform for rugby to continue its growth.
In line with the experience of all major international federations and national rugby unions, the IRB's financial results for the second year of the four-year Rugby World Cup 2011 business cycle, show that gross revenues were down approximately 12% on expected figures with the impact most keenly felt in the sponsorship sector.
However, a prudent cost reduction programme across all aspects of the IRB Group has secured a reduction in operating costs of 5%, while further 5% in-line reductions for 2010 and 2011 budgets will ensure that investment continues without impacting on delivery in key areas.

'BULL' BACKS 80 MINUTE GAME

Former All Black Bull Allen has taken on a new role as captain of the 80 Minute Game team - helping the home rental company spread its message that there will be plenty of accommodation available in New Zealand at sensible prices during Rugby World Cup 2011.
Allen said alternative accommodation options were essential for the success of the tournament, and that 80 Minute Game has impressed him with the way they do business. "I know that they personally inspect all the houses they list and every detail is thought through. They go the whole nine yards to make sure nothing is left to chance. I think if I was an overseas tourist coming here for the games I'd want to know that I was getting the best. I reckon rugby fans will love staying in a real Kiwi home and enjoying the lifestyle and hospitality."
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