Freak of nature.

Former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has coached some of the very best players the world has seen but from an athletic point of view – one player stood out above them all for him.

While Hansen has previously stated his former captain Richie McCaw is the best player he’s ever coached, athletically Sonny Bill Williams was “a freak of nature” as far as Hansen is concerned.

Williams has had spells in union and league over the years, winning two World Cup with Hansen’s side in the former and has also competed in heavyweight boxing, holding a 7-0 record.

“The greatest rugby player I’ve coached was (Richie) McCaw but Sonny would be the best athlete I’ve coached from a pure athlete sense,” Hansen said in an interview with the NZ Herald.

And Hansen believes there’s no reason Williams can’t play on for another few years and make a difference.

“Sonny is 35 now but he’s been an active athlete for a long time and he really looks after himself. He’s a freak of nature,” Hansen added.

“There is no reason, as long as he stays injury-free, that he won’t do the job. He had been out of league for a while before coming back and going to Toronto, but he’s just such a good athlete.

“As he has got older, he has matured. His training habits and his off-field habits are world-class now. He will be a good role model for the young fellas in the club.”

“He can do things other people can’t do.”