ANDRE Savelio has played down comparisons with New Zealand’s dual-code icon Sonny Bill Williams.

Upon completing a deal to join NRL giants Brisbane Broncos for the 2018 season, several reports in the Australian media likened the Wolves back-rower to the Kiwi great.

However, the 22-year-old says he has tried not to let those comparisons get inside his head but admits Williams was a hero of his growing up.

“It’s nice to be talked about in that way but I don’t really read too much into that,” he said.

“I think it was just a passing comment from someone in the media so I’ve tried not to get too caught up in it!

“I think he’s the best back-rower to have played the game, certainly the best I’ve seen.

“He’s the ultimate, all-round player. He’s got it all.

“He’s someone I watched when I was younger and wanted to be like him. He’s the man!”

The Warrington-born forward, who played his junior rugby for Latchford Albion and attended Cardinal Newman High School, joined the club on a one-year deal from St Helens in the off-season.

Having represented his hometown club, Savelio says the pull of playing for a Brisbane side that is “close to his heart” was too much to resist.

“The first jersey I ever wore was a Brisbane one so it always stuck with me,” he said.

“It’s a club that’s very close to my heart. If I was ever going to go over to Australia, Brisbane was where I wanted to go.

“All my family live in Brisbane so I was happy to get it over the line.

“Whenever I go over there, it just feels right.”