GROUP NINE
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FORMER Wagga NRL star Joe Williams will make a shock comeback to rugby league with Brothers next season.
The talented sportsman put pen to paper with the Wagga-based Group Nine club yesterday afternoon, less than a fortnight after his world title fight in Brisbane.
Williams spent a year away from rugby league this season but is set to inject spark and class to the Brothers' halves as they look to climb off the bottom of the Group Nine ladder.
Williams, who recently turned 30, played 49 NRL games, predominantly with South Sydney but also had stints in the top grade at Penrith and Canterbury.
Williams has not played since he coached Dubbo CYMS to a unsuccessful grand final appearance in 2012.
Williams told The Daily Advertiser yesterday he was looking forward to returning to rugby league.
"I think I needed a bit of time away from the game," Williams said.
"I've got some close mates at Brothers ... and they haven't had the most fantastic last couple of years but I've always been someone that loves a challenge.
"When I set myself a challenge, I like to do it right and the more I thought about playing again, the more it appealed to me.
"Brothers came in and trained at the gym a couple of times last year and they showed a lot of character, which I liked.
"I went and watched them play a couple of times last year and I thought they just lacked that little bit of spark so hopefully that's somewhere where I can help, and also educate the younger blokes coming through."
Williams last played in Group Nine back in 2009 under Josh Cale at Lavington when he helped them to within one game of a grand final appearance.
He has since spent time with Cowra then Dubbo CYMS, who he enjoyed a grand final victory with in 2011.
Williams, who is busy preparing for his JWB Amateur Fight Night in Cootamundra next month, is still committed to his boxing career despite the comeback.
Williams plans to fight at least once before the start of the season, most likely in February, and denied the return to rugby league was anything to do with his loss in Brisbane this month.
"In all honesty, this is no reflection on last week," Williams said.
"I've been talking to (Brothers) for a couple of months now. Boxing is definitely not on the backburner ... I'm lucky enough at the moment where I can do both."