All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has crossed the border to play Auckland club rugby, as he searches for game fitness before the Rugby World Cup build-up begins.
Williams, 33, is desperately short of competitive rugby, after an injury-plagued Super Rugby campaign with the Blues, which saw him side-lined for 10 weeks after knee surgery.
In a bid to find form, NZME reports he will turn out for Auckland champions Ponsonby over the next two weeks, debuting against Grammar TEC on Saturday.
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But the 51-cap international is officially contracted to the Counties-Manukau union, through the Puni club, and has reportedly gained clearance from the southern province to turn out for the Auckland glamour club, which boasts 45 previous All Blacks - more than any other club.
All Blacks and Blues teammate Rieko Ioane is Ponsonby's only current NZ international.
The All Blacks are due to assemble after the Super Rugby final on July 6/7, with their first outing of the Rugby Championship scheduled against Argentina in Buenos Aires on July 21.
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