Shane Williams rejects Toulon for another season in Nippon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21625402

I kinda understand. He's enjoying the fun out in Japan and not having to risk injury against the big buggers he's used to playing again.

A year away from the European game would have given his ageing body a rest, but maybe returning to play in the top14 would be a shock to the system especially at 36 years of age.

Personally I would have loved to have seen Shane spend a final glamour season at Toulon and possibly some H-Cup rugby.

Good luck to him whatever choice he makes. It made a decade of mixed emotions far brighter when he was playing.

Toulon are just signing players for the sake of it at this stage.

Seems a bit funny that the article raises Toulon as that offer was back in 2010.

monwy wrote:Seems a bit funny that the article raises Toulon as that offer was back in 2010.

The BBC's rugby reporting is truly terrible these days, it used to be my first port of call for rugby news, now I don't even bother consulting it.

He's far better off physically playing out his career in Japan. The money will be good and his skill and experience will be apreciated out there. Good luck to him whatever he does.

Saw an interview/mini documentary with him out in Japan. Seems like a such a good way of doing their rugby. As it's linked to big business (he's Mitsubishi) the rugby is sort of the club that the employees go to watch - sort of like supporting your work side, in a way. Anyway, it all seemed very 'pleasant'. The players helped serve food and drinks before the game, then played, and then all of the rugby players' families met for a bbq/picnic in the park. Very relaxed, nice weather, etc.

Shane even said he liked it because they're all about his height so he's putting in a few big hits! And, if I remember rightly he was being paid something like £700,000 a season. Can't see Toulon offering that.

Toulon management are like a child with AHD after 20 blue M&Ms.

They'll cry for 10 minutes and then shuffle their Top Trumps and decide to buy someomeone else.

If you read the French articles it seems they just wanted him for a few months as cover for the end of the season.

Griff wrote:Saw an interview/mini documentary with him out in Japan. Seems like a such a good way of doing their rugby. As it's linked to big business (he's Mitsubishi) the rugby is sort of the club that the employees go to watch - sort of like supporting your work side, in a way. Anyway, it all seemed very 'pleasant'. The players helped serve food and drinks before the game, then played, and then all of the rugby players' families met for a bbq/picnic in the park. Very relaxed, nice weather, etc.

Shane even said he liked it because they're all about his height so he's putting in a few big hits! And, if I remember rightly he was being paid something like £700,000 a season. Can't see Toulon offering that.

Yeh I saw that too. He's relatively unknown out there. Drives the moped from his apartment to games. BBQ food and a few beers post game. 700k for the trouble. Who can blame him? Enjoy your retirement Shane lad...

Let's hope he retires finally in Japan..and then comes back home to do another season of retirement games back in Wales....

How's his try scoring going in Japan anyway? He must have added a few warehouses full of them to his overall record by now?

markb wrote:
The BBC's rugby reporting is truly terrible these days, it used to be my first port of call for rugby news, now I don't even bother consulting it.

Wheres the best place to go mate?

SecretFly wrote:Let's hope he retires finally in Japan..and then comes back home to do another season of retirement games back in Wales....

How's his try scoring going in Japan anyway? He must have added a few warehouses full of them to his overall record by now?

Actually Fly, he is planning on playing another season in Wales. He has always said that before he finally retires he will play a season for his junior/hometown club Amman United. That's a great gesture, and something that would be great for the up and coming players at the club.

Griff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Let's hope he retires finally in Japan..and then comes back home to do another season of retirement games back in Wales....

How's his try scoring going in Japan anyway? He must have added a few warehouses full of them to his overall record by now?

Actually Fly, he is planning on playing another season in Wales. He has always said that before he finally retires he will play a season for his junior/hometown club Amman United. That's a great gesture, and something that would be great for the up and coming players at the club.

Sorry, but wouldn't the 'great gesture' be to play another season for the Dynoboars, as they are the ones paying him a quarter of a mill for just going through the motions there?

It's a job. They pay him. They have enough, they don't renew his contract.

However, the difference is that he'd play for the Amman for free. That's where the gesture is.

And it's not a quarter of a mill, it's three quarters.

I was factoring in the weakening of sterling against the yen.

Just a bit bored of Shane now. More farewell performances than the Rolling Stones.

None of this is news. BBC Wales take note! Just because he's small.

Spoiler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekr05T9Iaio