'Freak of nature' Sonny Bill Williams hangs up his rugby boots - his career in pictures

Rugby dual-code superstar not giving up sports entirely, though

Toronto Wolfpack's Sonny Bill WIlliams receives the ball during the English Super League match against Castleford Tigers in February, 2020. Williams announced his retirement from rugby but the New Zealander isn't giving up on sports, saying he wants to concentrate on his boxing career. AFP

Sonny Bill Williams of Belfast makes a break during the Canterbury Club Rugby match between Belfast and Lincoln University at Sheldon Park on August 7, 2010 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty

New Zealand rugby star and boxer Sonny Bill Williams trains with the New Zealand All Blacks. Reuters

Francois Botha and Sonny Bill Williams exchange blows during their WBA heavyweight title fight in Brisbane. Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Williams won their WBA International heavyweight title bout on February 8, 2013. AFP

Sonny Bill Williams won the National Rugby League Grand Final with Sydney Roosters in 2013, before switching back to union. EPA

Sonny Bill Williams represented New Zealand in both rugby league and union. Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams won the WBA Heavyweight title against South African Francois Botha on February 8, 2013. AFP

Sonny Bill Williams, centre, of the New Zealand All Blacks evades a challenge from Juan Imhoff, left, and Nicolas Sanchez of Argentina during a 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C match. Getty Images

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams gives his 2015 Rugby World Cup winner's medal to a fan. EPA

All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams speaks to the media after his new contract was announced by the New Zealand Rugby Union on June 1, 2016. AFP

Sonny Bill Williams, right, strikes South African opponent Francois Botha during their World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight fight in February 2013. EPA

Sonny Bill Williams poses with fans at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in December, 2015,. Victor Besa / The National

Toronto Wolfpack's New Zealand player Sonny Bill WIlliams warms up before the English Super League match against Castleford Tigers. AFP

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams after being shown the red card against the British & Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, on July 1, 2017. Reuters

Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks takes a pass during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at Trafalgar Park on September 6, 2018 in Nelson, New Zealand. Getty Images

South Africa's Malcolm Marx tackles New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams during a Rugby Championship match at Newlands, Cape Town, on October 7, 2017. Reuters

Sonny Bill Williams runs through drills during a training session at Kashiwa no Ha Park Stadium on September 10, 2019 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. Getty Images

New Zealand's Muslim players Ofa Tuungafasi and Sonny Bill Williams pray after the All Blacks' 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over Ireland. Reuters

Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks stretches during a New Zealand All Blacks gym session on October 28, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Toronto Wolfpack's Sonny Bill Williams speaks at a press conference in January, 2020. AFP

Dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams announced his retirement from rugby on Thursday and says he will turn his attention to his boxing career.

Williams, 35, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with the New Zealand All Blacks, confirmed he would no longer play for Australia's National Rugby League outfit the Sydney Roosters.

"A massive thank you to the public and fans for all the support over years. To my many teammates, thanks for the lessons and help along the way," he tweeted.

"It wasn't a perfect journey, but the lessons have helped shape me into the man I'm proud to be off the field today."

Williams retires as one of rugby's most successful players and one of its most colourful characters.

He won Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015 with the All Blacks, as well as numerous Bledisloe Cup titles against Australia and Rugby Championships.

He also won NRL Premierships in 2004 (Canterbury Bulldogs) and 2013 (Roosters), represented New Zealand in rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympics and won all seven of his professional heavyweight boxing bouts.

Williams' power and pace allowed him to play a variety of positions but he will perhaps be best remembered playing in the centres in union and was renowned for his one-handed offloads and fierce tackling.

Off the field, the devout Muslim used his profile to speak up on causes such as refugee welfare and cultural tolerance.

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last year rated Williams the "best athlete he had ever worked with", and described him as "a freak of nature".

The All Blacks paid tribute to the 58-Test veteran.

"The offload king. Thank you for all you've given to New Zealand rugby and fans all around the world, @SonnyBWilliams. Enjoy retirement uso (brother)," the team tweeted.

Williams said retiring from team sports would allow longer preparation for his boxing bouts.

"I spoke to my manager, I said 'Bro I'm keen to get back into the ring, I've got a couple of years, I'm 35'," he told Australia's Channel Nine.

"I spoke to the wife first and she had blank eyes but like usual, she supported me."

Williams beat South Africa's Francois Botha by unanimous decision to win the WBA international heavyweight title in February 2013.

In October 2013, Williams revealed he would not fight again for at least three years due to a lack of time as he pursued his rugby commitments. This led to him being stripped of his two titles.

Williams' last bout was in January 2015, when he beat American Chauncy Welliver at Allphones Arena in Sydney.

Williams is now based in Sydney and a fight against former Cronulla Sharks enforcer Paul Gallen would generate huge interest in Australia, although Gallen insisted Thursday he had "bigger fish to fry".