Sonny Bill Williams: 'Olympic gold would surpass World Cup title'

And as the inaugural Olympic rugby sevens tournament prepares to get underway, Williams was asked where a gold medal would rank in his trophy cabinet. "I guess it would have to surpass it, because as an athlete there is no higher level than the Olympics," Williams said.

New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams is eager to add an Olympic medal to his tally.

He has won two World Cups but New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams said claiming rugby sevens gold at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro would top the lot. Williams has enjoyed a successful career in rugby union, helping the All Blacks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015.

A Super Rugby champion with Chiefs in 2012, Williams is also a rugby league premiership winner with NRL duo Canterbury Bulldogs (2004) and Sydney Roosters (2012).

And as the inaugural Olympic rugby sevens tournament prepares to get underway, Williams was asked where a gold medal would rank in his trophy cabinet. "I guess it would have to surpass it, because as an athlete there is no higher level than the Olympics," Williams said.

"I am just fortunate that Titch [coach Gordon Tietjens] gave me a shot at the start of the year, and I have been fortunate enough to learn off these boys in the team and I have just trained my butt off. Now I am here, like the rest of the boys, I just want to be successful. If I talk to you after the tournament and we go well, then I can answer that question. Hopefully it is a good answer."

New Zealand has been drawn alongside Great Britain, Kenya and Japan in Pool C. Williams and Co. open their campaign against Kenya on Tuesday.