Sonny Bill welcome at Roosters

Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith would welcome the opportunity to work with Sonny Bill Williams.

Smith admits he's none the wiser as to whether Williams will make the move in 2013, but insisted he'd love to coach the 'super athlete'.

The New Zealander announced on Monday he would quit the All Blacks to pursue a career in Japanese rugby and Australian rugby league and has been linked with a move to the Roosters.

"I don't think you'll find too many coaches who wouldn't want to (work with Williams)," Smith said.

''I've got a view about wanting to coach great players - super athletes and all that sort of stuff.

''Limited bits that I've seen of him playing in both the All Blacks and the Chiefs colours, he seems to be in mighty good form.''

Williams announced that he wantede to honour a 'handshake agreement' made with Roosters chairman Nick Politis to join the Sydney side in 2013.

The 26-year-old plans to return to the NRL after a lucrative stint in Japan.

Veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello said he would relish the opportunity to play alongside Williams.

"If he does get a chance to come to the club I'd love to play with him," Minichiello said.

"He does some pretty special things on the field, he holds the ball like a tennis ball. I'd love to run off him that's for sure."

The Roosters play rivals the Rabbitohs on Monday night and Smith knows it's a big game for the fans of both sides.

"I think the difference in these games is the potential for the fans to be building the game up," he said.

"I anticipate we'll have a huge crowd and the crowd will be pretty passionate, so that all fuels the whole thing a bit more and it becomes more than just the two points we're fighting over."