Nick Williams (rugby union)

Nick Williams (born 2 December 1983) is a rugby union player who currently plays for the Cardiff Blues. His position is Number Eight.

Nick Williams
Date of birth (1983-12-02) 2 December 1983
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight130 kg (287 lb)[1][2]
Notable relative(s)Tim Nanai-Williams (brother)
Sonny Bill Williams (cousin)
Joseph Parker (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2010
2010–2012
2012–2016
2016–		 Munster
Aironi
Ulster
Cardiff Blues		 19
34
76
73		 (20)
(50)
(80)
(65)
Correct as of 11 December 2019
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2008 North Harbour 33 (40)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2008 Blues 37 (20)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2006 Junior All Blacks 4 (15)
Correct as of 27 Jan 2013

Career

Williams initially played rugby league, changing to rugby union in his late teens. He then progressed to play for North Harbour as well as representing New Zealand in Under 21's. He then went on to play for the Blues in the Super 14, and was selected for the Junior All Blacks.

Williams played for Munster in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup for two seasons. He made 19 appearances for Munster and scored four tries, including a hat-trick against the Newport Gwent Dragons. He joined Aironi on a one-year deal for the 2010/11 season.[3]

On 22 June 2012, Williams signed for Ulster on a two-year deal after leaving Aironi. On the signing, David Humphreys the Ulster Director of Rugby, said Williams would add a great deal to the Ulster squad.[4] On 23 December 2015, Williams would join Welsh team Cardiff Blues on a three-year contract from the 2016-17 season.[5]

During his time in Cardiff, Williams also joined local joint support and muscle sleeve business, Bearhug as a Non Executive Director in January 2020.

Honors
  • Pro12 Player of the Season (2012–13)[6]
  • IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year

Personal life

As one of eight children, Nick grew up in Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Williams is the older brother of Clermont Auvergene back Tim Nanai-Williams.

He is the first cousin of Blues centre Sonny Bill Williams and the second cousin of boxer Joseph Parker.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/first_team_squad.php?player=81087&includeref=dynamic
  3. Aironi Rugby: dopo Nick Williams arriva anche Totò Perugini Sport Parma, 23 May 2010 (in Italian)
  4. Williams signs for Ulster Ulster Rugby, 22 June 2012
  5. "Cardiff Blues sign Ulster number eight Nick Williams". BBC Sport. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  6. “Nick Williams on move again after inspirational stint at Ulster”, Independent, David Kelly, 24 December 2015.
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