SBW back in the fray

Good to see even if he doesn't make the World cup squad. Despite his seemingly selfish motives is still a very focussed professional and from all accounts and excellent team man. At least we wont have any of the JOC, Beale type narcissism and charade from this bloke.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/9538787/Sonny-Bill-Williams-signs-on-with-NZRU-Chiefs

Depending on how Benji Marshall goes we could even have 2 ex Leaguies in the AB backline- Smith/ Benji/ SBW/ Conrad/ Savea/ Smith and Dagg. With back up from any of Carter, Cruden, barrett, Jane, Nonu, Piatau. Not a bad lineup to have to chose from.

Yeh - if you remove your post from the other thread, I'll delete it. Can't x it with a post there though!

Looks good alright Tman but can still see plenty of room for improvement. New favorite cliche.

I think it'll improve the ABs no end. Nonu works 50% harder to keep SBW out, plus SBW is yet more cover at wing, and his combo with Cruden is legendary

It never hurts to have options. In a RWC you need depth and to start other players in the pool games. SBW doesn't figure ahead of Nonu but he's a nice addition to provide injury cover and impact. Just hopefully not with the shoulder. Maybe Nonu was right when he said he taught Sonny all that he knew...

I just question how fair it is to guys giving their all to the cause inbetween world cups, only to be set aside when money bill williams return.

It's not but if he were trying to gain a wing spot he wouldn't be let back in the team. We're short on centres and that's why the NZRU are happy to include him. If the squad is improved with him then he gets included. Would Fourie Du Preez be in the squad if SA had genuine contenders at 9. Pride shouldn't hurt yourself like it did with Deans and the JOC debacle.

And then back to boxing! Glad he's showing his dedication and not just moving for show piece events. I know he's bloody good at whatever sport he turns his hand to but come on!

Biltong wrote:I just question how fair it is to guys giving their all to the cause inbetween world cups, only to be set aside when money bill williams return.

 I dont think fair comes into it, its the best players that should be selected. Plus noone can say that SBW hasnt given his all in 2013.

And if he commits by playing a S15 season in NZ first as required then that's good enough for me.

No 7&1/2 wrote:And then back to boxing! Glad he's showing his dedication and not just moving for show piece events. I know he's bloody good at whatever sport he turns his hand to but come on!

At least he has the decency to represent New Zealand in all 3, most of the others who make the switch end up in England shirts.

True! Personally find it a bit sad that he's not stuck to one and cemented a legacy which I don't think he'll get by doing what he is currently. The only issue I suppose is if any other members of the squad hold any resentment towards him. As I said clearly v talented but I'm not sure I'd like to see this happen for England. Make a choice and stick to it.

This is a tricky one because there's lots of possibilities as to what's going on :

- Truly is Money Bill Williams looking for fortune but moreover, as much fame as possible, hopping between world cups (and note that he wants to play in the 2016 Olympics Sevens in Rio. Typical.)
- A very confused fellow who genuinely think he will stick to what he is doing (union, league...) then finds that he has changed his mind again
- Sees himself as a bit of mercenary, adding to NZs strength in whichever flagship event is coming up next. For NZ sport overall, not a bad strategy to have a couple of people doing that; after all our nations do it with Union & Sevens - although it is managed from above.

The boxing bit kind of throws the 2nd and 3rd possibilities off, though...

Is this old news that he was stripped of his boxing title for failing to defend it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/25389659

Worse still, they've mentioned that he was "rude" by not even saying he had received the challenges. This kind of behaviour makes me lean to my first option. Of course nobody acts like that unless they feel insecure/confused so there is always room for some sympathy, but maybe it's a shame he can't pin down what he wants as an even medium-term goal, state it, and work towards it.

Well he said he wanted to live his sporting career with no regrets. I guess being a bit selfish comes into that. On the field though, he gives his all. AB selection is no given yet, he'll have to prove himself in the super rugby first.

It is amazing how good players are afforded different treatement to everyone else in the eyes of the fans anyway. Thats life I suppose.

C'mon, if he was available, you'd select him.

GloriousEmpire wrote:C'mon, if he was available, you'd select him.

Yeah but Id be quite annoyed at his other comittments. Im fairly sure the IRFU and Irish provinces wouldnt have clauses against participation in other contact sports (boxing) while contracted to play rugby for example.

Off all the Ireland players Jamie Heaslip has the most off field comittments and public image (closest to SBW type character) and it makes him quite unpopular with a lot of Ireland fans.

Sexton heading off to play in france hasnt made him new fans either IMO.

The only people that ere annoyed with sbw these days are disgruntled fans who think they know what showing loyalty is. Players are hoping all over the world within the sport shunning national representation for family funds so all that is pot vs kettle talk.
Within the sides he plays did he gives his all and from all accounts is a genuine team man and contributes greatly to team morale and unity.
Voted league player of the year after five seasons in rugby which included a sxv and world cup medal he is obviously a unique talent and for nz rugby fans we get to see some fantastic skills at sxv and have another option in midfield.
As if we are going to start complaing about that...

He is class, serves his nation/team with distinction and entertains the fans. To be honest theres not much more i could want in a sportsman. I think he is a guy who enjoys his sport and likes challenges, and makes sure he gets paid whilst he can for his talents. Imagine you could win a 6 nations, then score in an FA cup final, then go hit a ton at Lords, I would if I could. Hes gonna have wicked memories and great friends plus stacks of cash. Actually hes a Bar Steward.

The fact that SBW is signing now and making the contract public rather than getting involved in another brinksman-like episode over his contract terms shows he is maturing and growing away from his old image.

He has irreplaceable X-factor and has achieved more in each sport he has turned his hand to than many do in one sport in an entire career.

GloriousEmpire wrote:The fact that SBW is signing now and making the contract public rather than getting involved in another brinksman-like episode over his contract terms shows he is maturing and growing away from his old image.

He has irreplaceable X-factor and has achieved more in each sport he has turned his hand to than many do in one sport in an entire career.

Interesting how attitudes on him have changed since his days at Toulon.

Yes its taken a while to work him out. For me hes been like a kid with too many toys and can't get enough of them.he's worked out that while he wants to cram in as much in his career while he can, that he also has responsibilities. I don't think its actually about the money for sbw.

The guy just loves his sport and wants to be the best he can be in as much as he can fit in.by announcing the two year deal he gets to focus on his league next year and then back to rugby without all the media hassle. 3 years of peace from that angle so he just get on with it.

Taylorman wrote:Yes its taken a while to work him out. For me hes been like a kid with too many toys and can't get enough of them.he's worked out that while he wants to cram in as much in his career while he can, that he also has responsibilities. I don't think its actually about the money for sbw.

The guy just loves his sport and wants to be the best he can be in as much as he can fit in.by announcing the two year deal he gets to focus on his league next year and then back to rugby without all the media hassle. 3 years of peace from that angle so he just get on with it.

Agree with this. In a way I sort of wish he'd stick to one sport to demonstrate just how good he is. But what he's doing is so remarkable I really want to see just how successful he can be. He's going to have an amazing CV with great memories and no 'what ifs'...good on him. That said, would quite like to see him fight an average domestic level Brit heavyweight...he is no boxer.

No his boxing was part of the phase he was going through. Carefully managed easy beats for the bucks. He's now given that away and I think is a bit fearful of meeting our genuine up and comer Joseph parker. He's been stripped of the two farcical titles he won so has obviously come to some decisions.

After 2016 he'll be the wrong side of 30 so he's given himself 3 good years to do his thing. The toughest part will be making the ABs world cup squad and the Olympic 7s...two very sought after sides for all here.

From what Ive seen of Sonny Bill this year (guess a good half dozen games) Ive got the feeling that hes playing the best Ive ever seen him, plus he has taken a more leadership role in the roosters. Although in fairness he has been the go to man for them, and he has delivered all year.

This guy is one of the best athletes rugby has ever seen.