Canterbury have officially confirmed Sonny Bill Williams will play for the Super 15 rugby side for the next two years.

CRFU and Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said the former National Rugby League player was completely committed to his quest for a place in the All Blacks for next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

Williams walked out midway through a contract with NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs two years ago to join French rugby club Toulon where he came under the tutelage of former All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga.

Hawke's Bay, Counties Manukau and North Harbour also put lucrative contracts in front of Williams but he opted for Canterbury "because he felt it was better to get started all in the one place", Riach told The Press.

Williams' provincial rugby career is expected to start on July 30 when Canterbury host Hawke's Bay.

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