Local fans could see Sonny Bill play in Bay | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Bay of Plenty is set to pick from the cash tree that is Sonny Bill Williams, with the Steamers hosting all three of the provinces vying for the signature of the France-based midfielder.

Williams will reportedly return to New Zealand to play rugby next month, giving up a record contract at French club Toulon in hope of making the All Blacks before next year's World Cup.

The 24-year-old would take up an 18-month contract with the NZRU, but was yet to decide which provincial and Super 15 teams he would play for, although there was speculation during the weekend it would be in Auckland.

Williams' agent Khoder Nasser visited New Zealand to talk with Counties-Manukau, North Harbour, Canterbury and with All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

Bay of Plenty take on all three provinces in the renamed ITM Cup at home - North Harbour (in Rotorua) on August 29, Canterbury on September 3 at Mt Maunganui's Baypark Stadium and Counties two weeks later, also at Baypark.

If the NZRU snares Williams, it's likely he will link with his mentor, Tana Umaga, at Counties.

Milton Haig, Counties' Tauranga-based coach, said he was hopeful Umaga would be the trump card in bringing Williams to Pukekohe.

"We're still in the frame and I'm reasonably confident that link with Tana will help.

"When we met a few weeks ago with Khoder, he said he doesn't advise Sonny at all on rugby, that person is Tana. I don't know where we stand but the fact Tana's coming to Counties must push things hugely in our favour.

"But I couldn't categorically say he's coming here. The relationship with Tana is pretty strong but Sonny's decision has to benefit him."

Williams walked out on a five-year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs league side in 2008 to join Toulon. The French club had recently offered him a world-record $6 million, three-year contract.

The NZRU was unable to attempt to match Toulon's offer but had given Williams the choice of which teams he would play for as well as the option of returning to Europe or the NRL after the World Cup.

Graham Henry spent a day with Nasser outlining his plans for Williams and some of the opportunities for third party sponsorships to supplement the NZRU's reported $550,000 per year offer.

Haig said Counties' offer had been a two-pronged package in conjunction with the Chiefs Super 15 franchise, although the advent of franchise contracting means Williams and Nasser can pick and choose.

Williams could conceivably play for Counties in the ITM Cup but head to Christchurch and the Crusaders, apparently his preference, for next year's Super 15.

"That's probably the only thing that worries us right now," Haig said. "We've made a collective [financial offer] with the Chiefs, but if he didn't want to play for the Chiefs we'd need to go back and rejig what we've tabled."

 Haid had little doubt Williams would be successful in his quest to play for the All Blacks in next year's World Cup.

"He's exciting. I've watched a lot of him playing in Europe in the last eight weeks and it's clear he's an athlete and an absolute handful for any defence and is adapting to the game quickly.

"He'd be a multidimensional signing for us. We'd get the playing ability, but we'd also get the sponsorship, bums on seats and increased media coverage."