'Got the tools': Sonny Bill Williams' potential career switch after retirement

NRL and rugby union great Sonny Bill Williams may have retired to focus more on boxing, but Trent Robinson has already given him the nod for a potential coaching role.

Williams confirmed his retirement from both rugby codes this week to focus on boxing, after the 35-year-old slipped out of the spotlight at the end of last year.

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But he has also been spending time at the Roosters.

Williams is voluntary attending Roosters' training and is spending time with guiding 17-year-old potential superstar Joseph Suaalii.

But coaching has been raised in the past, which included Williams' return to the NRL last year for the Roosters.

"He wanted to have a look at that. And he has come back in to learn," Robinson said.

"It's natural for him, he's been singularly focused for such a long time, to then start to work out where's my next role in life... A part of that is spending time with us."

Williams first looking at boxing

But Williams did suggest he would be focusing on boxing and a stint in the media in the foreseeable future.

Robinson claimed when Williams is ready, he has the tactical nous to start a path towards coaching.

"He's definitely got the tools to be a coach," Robinson said.

"He's got presence and game understanding and a real depth as well and intuition in the game.

"It's whether he is going to overlay that in the work needed to strip it all back and understand the art of coaching, which takes a bit of time.

"Passion has been a driver for him for many years.

"Seeing where that passion lies for the next few years will be really interesting for us and him."

with AAP

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