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No easy path into All Blacks
By Max Bania
Make no mistake the signing of Sonny Bill Williams is the NZRU's
biggest coup since, well, ages ago.
But given his occasionally-chequered past and the difficulties
involved in making the switch to union, the cynics among us can be
forgiven for adding a grain of salt to our victory drinks.
There are simply no guarantees where cross-code switches are
concerned; no sure-fire recipes for success. For every Lote Tuqiri,
there's an Andrew Walker. For every Brad Thorn, there's a Mark
Gasnier.
Williams made all the right noises on last night's Footy Show
appearance, but after the way in which he left the Bulldogs, should
we be taking the man sometimes known as "Money Bill" at face
value?
It's worth noting that his contract runs only until the end of 2011
- just as the World Cup concludes - and already there are
whisperings that a deal has been done that spirit Williams back to
Toulon as swiftly as he came. Could his NZRU switch merely be an
exercise in glory-hunting CV-building?
Even if Williams' aim is true - which it may very well be - he will
find the pace and intensity of Southern Hemisphere rugby far
removed to what he has experienced in the North.
He may have shown sustained periods of brilliance in his two year
European sojourn but let's face it; so could my grandmother, and
she's got a busted leg.
Unlike Australian rugby, there are no fast tracks into the national
team for big-name league converts. Williams will have to earn his
stripes from the grinding mud of Invercargill's Rugby Park to the
sparsely-populated banks of ITM stadium.
Then and only then will his All Blacks dream be realised. But Sonny
Bill is about to find out, just as every other potential All Black
before him, that the path to the World Cup is no stroll in the
Mediterranean sunshine.
You can believe the hype
By Chris Matthews
Sonny Bill Williams' hysteria has landed in New Zealand rugby and
you can believe the hype.
Forget about the former NRL stars inexplicable prima donna two
years ago that earned him the honour of being dubbed Australia's
most hated man because now that he is back in his rightful place of
Aotearoa, Sonny Bill will deliver what he does best as a bloody
talented football player.
You see SBW is a rare breed of athlete that has that unquantifiable
X-factor. In his 73-game NRL career for the Bulldogs he displayed
off-loading and line-breaking ability that set him apart from the
rest of the field.
Both of these talents along with his damaging defence (mind you he
will have to learn to tackle with his arms) are perfect to be an
effective second five-eight in the New Zealand game.
Sure he still is a work in progress but at least he has had two
year in the French Top 14 to come terms with his rugby education.
If he had come straight from the NRL to New Zealand rugby you would
have to say that his chances of playing at the 2011 rugby World Cup
would be a long shot at best.
However now he has over 12 months in the New Zealand game to prove
his worth, you would be a silly man to bet against him.
Much will depend on what province and Super 14 franchise he makes
himself available for. With Counties Manakau, North Harbour and
Canterbury reportedly in the race, SBW will opt for the latter if
he plays his cards right.
A partnership with Daniel Carter - when he isn't on Test duty - and
a winning Canterbury team throughout out the national provincial
championship will be the ideal development ground for Williams to
realise his potential.
Potential that will - injury permitting - see him taken on
the All Blacks end of year tour as he is fast tracked into World
Cup contention.
Certainly there are no guarantees that this Sonny Bill gamble will
pay off for the NZRU but it is calculated risk and for that they
should be congratulated.
It is no coincidence that his announcement happened on the eve of
the FIFA World Cup and for the New Zealand rugby fans whose
interest is waning this is a feel good story that has captured
their imaginations.
And if for some reason he does prove a flop on the provincial rugby
fields - as far as the NZRU is concerned - it doesn't matter,
because the hype that is Sonny Bill Williams would have done half
his job - gotten bums on seats.
What do you think? Will Sonny Bill Williams be the messiah for the All Blacks? Have your say on our messageboard below
Add a Comment:
Post new commentkiwiboy said on 2010-06-12 @ 04:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
we've had our Cullen's,Lomu's and Umanga's why not a Williams. Beside's the smell of Sonny Boy hovering over our mid-field might actually bring out the best of what we have and as far as Nonu's concerned...He has the Mana!!! thats a fact!!! SBW...Messiah...fiction
Traveler said on 2010-06-11 @ 21:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
Qu: What do Sonny Bill Williams and the playing surface at Invercargill's Rugby Park have in common? A: They both have been put down by Max Bania, who has paid lip service to the quality of each. Whoever SBW ends up playing for, the RP surface will be to his liking. Max - stop living in the 70's and update your thinking...
Cann River Bob said on 2010-06-11 @ 20:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
We badly need a good inside centre so everything is in his favour. Don't like the idea of continuingly stacking the Crusaders though - he should play for the Highlanders to learn the real grind of real rugby.
Grieving said on 2010-06-11 @ 18:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
"So could my grandmother, and she's got a busted leg." Don't be an idiot.
Pacifier said on 2010-06-11 @ 18:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bania Mania, maybe you should stick to commenting on cricket. Sonny bill is only here for the RWC, why else would he be here. NZ simply cannot afford to extend his contract beyond that. Maybe it is glory hunting, but if SBW is good enough to play for the all blacks then he should.