SBW in doubt for Roosters in season opener Luke O'Donnell says fellow Sydney Roosters recruit Sonny Bill Williams has been training as though he'll play in Thursday's NRL season opener against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium. An official call is yet to be made on whether Williams makes his tri-colours' debut against the Rabbitohs with the back-rower's build-up to the season restricted by a pectoral muscle injury suffered playing rugby in Japan. South Sydney captain Michael Crocker claimed on Sunday he was not aware of the hype surrounding Williams's return. Has there been much hype? I don't know. I haven't been reading too many papers," he said. Is he playing? Crocker is glad to see Williams back in the NRL and expects him to play off the bench while he's back into the competition. "He's a phenomenal athlete and it's great to have the best players back in the game," he said. I'm sure it will be tough but he's a phenomenal athlete and obviously he's really fit from the boxing training he's been doing. It's just going to be a matter of him getting that match fitness. I'm sure if he does play he'll come off the bench have an impact role at the start and that will ease him back into it.