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Sonny Bill Williams during the third Test against Ireland. - Source: Photosport -
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No one should be surprised that the New Zealand media is giving Sonny Bill Williams such an armchair ride to Japan.
You never bite the hand that feeds you and SBW has been helping uninspired hacks put food on the table for almost a decade now.
Slow news day? Just fill the column inches with contrived SBW-related drivel.
Too lazy to use any journalistic endeavour, and actually go out and find some real sports news? No worries, Sonny Bill has just tweeted something about strawberry ice cream.
No one will miss the gifted midfielder more than the journos.
I'll certainly miss him. I'll miss his twisting, turning, stretching surges over the tryline, the way his offloads frequently defy the laws of physics and the buzz of an expectant crowd each time he touches the ball.
What I won't miss are the unsolicited extras he brought to the game of rugby in this country.
I won't miss the gross hyperbole that followed him everywhere he went. I won't miss commentators fawning over his moments of brilliance, whilst neglecting the odd foolish offload or opportunities squandered through his pre-occupation with taking the ball into contact rather than passing it.
I won't miss the constant will-he-or-won't-he saga regarding his playing future (which, it must be noted, neither he nor his management team did anything to play down) nor the tedious wall-to-wall coverage of his dalliances with the likes of Jaime Ridge, when I'd rather just read about what's happening on the field.
And I certainly won't miss some of the indefensible defences against those who have dared to question his motivations.
One columnist applauded his "lust for life", toasting his "adventures to be had". Because Hamilton, Canterbury-Bankstown and an industrial wasteland 50 miles from Tokyo are naturally all places you'd go for adventures, not for cash.
Some say he owes nothing to New Zealand rugby, which, let's not forget, poured immeasurable resources into helping him transition into the local set-up, and has proven himself as a top-class rugby player. The former is questionable; the latter is utter nonsense.
Sonny Bill has played one good season of Super Rugby and - aside from a couple of run-arounds against lesser international sides - has been little more than a bit-part player for the All Blacks. By the same flawed logic, Luke McAlister, Isaac Ross and Brendon Leonard are proven internationals.
Some have asked why he should be regarded in a lesser light than fellow league convert Brad Thorn or Japan-bound Jerome Kaino. Simple: both played eight seasons of rugby in New Zealand and built impeccable reputations on the back of their commitment and longevity - Williams played two.
Some have suggested that anyone who criticises SBW is doing so purely out of jealousy at his wealth and talent. More straw-man arguments from straw-brained individuals.
Others say this is all merely a sign of the times in the professional era and, drawing ridiculous comparisons to the European football, believe rugby players of the future will swear no national allegiances and simply get wherever the getting's good.
If true, such a scenario would be devastating for New Zealand rugby, since it would see most (if not all) of our best players plying their trade overseas.
Fortunately, it isn't true, because 99% of rugby players in this country still dream of playing for the All Blacks, not the yen.
It isn't true because, if it was, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw would be long gone, along with every other member of the All Blacks dynasty under Graham Henry. It isn't true because being an All Black means the world to those players.
Clearly, it doesn't to Sonny Bill.
He is, of course, fully entitled to make the decision he has made and best of luck to him. But it's time for the bandwagon jumpers to stop kidding themselves. It's time for them to call a spade a spade and call Sonny Bill what he is - a remarkable rugby talent who, in the words of none other than Carter himself, had the chance to become a legend of the game and spurned it.
None of this week's pathetic media fawning is of Sonny Bill's own making. He's guilty of nothing more than freakish talents and an impressionable nature that allows him to be manipulated by Khoder Nasser and his cronies.
That so many people are happy to see the back of him is no reflection upon the man himself. It's a reflection of their desire to see the back of the hoardes of Sonny Bill sycophants, so that the rest of us can go back to talking about rugby.
It's them I won't miss.
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Post new commentPlus 5 said on 2012-07-16 @ 16:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
The NZRFU has money by the bucket load to throw at SBW, but no money to pay for the National Secondary schools regional rugby tournament. Blues v chief v canes v southern regions (SI). fully support Peters point. The NZRFU needs to get it's priorities in order.
Dknow said on 2012-07-16 @ 13:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
To say that SBW has been holding back other players is rediculous. Only the best players should always wear the black jersey. If anything SBW challenges others to be better. If we're honest, we hate him for leaving because he takes a huge amount of talent with him. It is our greed to want him to stay with rugby. It's a lot easier to say the money doesnt matter, but would YOU really turn down THAT MUCH money for a short stint? Professional sport is changing. Accept it
cueboy said on 2012-07-16 @ 09:29 NZDT: Report abusive post
No Peter Williams, your not old fashioned just saying what most would like to say but dont have the balls to say it. I think there are a lot out there with this dont rock the boat attitude. SBW your Japan experience lets hope its for a very long time. See you in the old folks home when you get back.
donr said on 2012-07-13 @ 11:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
i have not heard the word piffle in years. SBJ can do whatever he wants. Peter should know too, SBJ is a bit of a showman [unlike Carter and McCaw] .........and no his remorse on the TV simply looks like an act
muddypaws said on 2012-07-13 @ 11:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Peter Williams is bang on. I couldn't agree more with everything he has said about SBW. Good bye and good riddance.