It's New Zealand's equivalent of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones turning out for Mumbles RFC.
Grassroots rugby in the land of the long white cloud is poised to pull off a major coup in having All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams playing in the Auckland Premier championship.
After an injury-ravaged season, the 51-times capped midfield powerhouse is reportedly seeking clearance to play for Ponsonby RFC in the next few weeks to prove his fitness for the Rugby Championship and World Cup in Japan.
Fitness issues over knee surgery has seen the 33-year-old dual-code star make just three Super Rugby starts for the Blues this season.
His appearance against the Hurricanes on June 15, came after 20 weeks on the sidelines and the former Toulon midfielder is reportedly keen to use grassroots rugby to continue his rehabilitation.
Williams is attached to the Puni club in the Counties Manukau area and played one game for them after returning from suspension for his red card for the All Blacks against the Lions in their second Test of the 2017 tour.
Williams therefore needed clearance to play for Ponsonby.
And having been given the green light by Counties and Auckland rugby chiefs, Williams could be in action this Saturday as Ponsonby takes on Grammar TEC.
Ponsonby has a great affinity with All Blacks rugby with New Zealand great Sir Bryan Williams among their alumni, as is current international Rieko Ioane.
Playing for Ponsonby will give one of the game's global superstars the chance to build up his conditioning and confidence levels with the All Blacks' first Test of the year coming in Argentina on July 21.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has already said that if Williams is fit, he will deserves to be named in the World Cup squad for tournament in Japan.
Hansen said Williams, has earned the right to be picked, given his experience.
