Sonny Bill Williams has conquered all the sporting challenges life has thrown at him, so despite an up-and-down debut in international rugby sevens, the superstar All Black remains on course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

SBW, as he is known in his homeland, scored with his first touch in the Wellington Sevens tournament this weekend (January 30-31) but committed two errors in the final against South Africa, which almost cost his side the match. However, the All Blacks recovered to win in the dying moments and Williams was humble in his self-analysis afterwards. “I know that I will get better,” he told the media in New Zealand.

“The pleasing thing is to be in an environment where, even though I'm a rookie, everyone wants to help you out”

Sonny Bill Williams

Still learning but great 2 finally play some 7s with the lads @ardiesavea @GilliesKaka @JosephWebber27 @rieko_ioane pic.twitter.com/MabugBeb05

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) 31 janeiro 2016

Williams has already been confirmed in the All Blacks squad for the next stage of the World Sevens Series, in Sydney next weekend (6-7 February). His coach Gordon Tietjens has praised the 30-year-old’s dedication and team ethic, saying: “He’ll get it right, no question there. He’ll get better and better. He’s so disappointed in his performance, yet happy for the team having won. He’s a perfectionist and he wants to get it right.”

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“He’s amazing, he’s infectious, the players idolise him, they follow him and, with everything he does, he’s a really professional”

All Blacks coach Gordon Tietjens

Force of nature: three South African players try to stop Sonny Bill during Sunday’s final (Photo: Getty Images/Hagen Hopkins)

Williams is a genuine superstar of the rugby world, a colourful character as well as a fearsome player. Along with winning two rugby union World Cups, he scaled the heights in rugby league, the 13-man version of the game, being elected world player of the year in 2013. And a brief but successful career as a professional boxer saw him crowned New Zealand’s heavyweight champion in 2012.

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He converted to Islam while playing in France and won the hearts of millions by giving away his World Cup medal to a young fan who was tackled by a security guard at the end of last year’s final. Now he wants to add ‘Olympian’ to his CV.

“The best sportsmen ever have been Olympians. Usain Bolt, Muhammad Ali, the list goes on. It’s just an amazing opportunity to become one of those.”

Sonny Bill Williams on announcing his Olympic bid in August 2015

Williams and his team-mates celebrate their win in Wellingon with the traditional haka (Photo: Getty Images: Mark Tantrum)

Williams is likely to face another rugby union superstar in the Sydney sevens tournament, Australia’s New-Zealand born fly-half Quade Cooper. The 27-year-old, a good friend of SBW, has also set his heart on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and should make his sevens debut this weekend, with Australia facing New Zealand on Saturday night.

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A fan hopes that Sonny Bill will ‘rescue’ her during the Wellington sevens event (Photo: Getty Images/Hagen Hopkins)