SBW poised for Japan move
30 Jun 2012
Reports from New Zealand indicate that Sonny Bill Williams has signed a contract with a Japanese club and is highly unlikely to feature in the Rugby Championship.
The Herald on Sunday writes that Williams will shortly announce he has signed a one-season deal with Panasonic Wild Knights and then shift to the NRL – most likely with the Sydney Roosters – in early 2013.
Williams will have to report to the Knights by 30 August, which would allow him to play the first two Tests of the southern hemisphere showpiece, both against Australia. However, the paper says the 26-year-old will opt not to participate.
However, there is a strong possibility that he will return to union with the Chiefs in 2014 with an eye on helping the All Blacks defend their title at the 2015 World Cup.
41 Comments
30 Jun 2012, 21:27 pm
Shame, SBW was in the process of becoming the best #12 in the world, if he already wasn’t. Probably has played his last match in an ABs jersey. Will be a big loss for them during the Rugby Championship.
Although the temptation in NZ will be to dismiss him as a selfish, money-grubbing waste, I’m not sure it’s that simple. SBW has spoken openly in the past that rugby is first and foremost a business, and that clubs will use up guys and throw them out at will. Therefore, in his opinion, the players must view the game the same way, and seek to maximize their earnings in the very small playing window they have.
Say what you want about that, but I’m not certain he’s wrong.
30 Jun 2012, 22:36 pm
I thought he was contracted up until the end of 2012, meaning he’d have to play in the NPC after the 4N & be available for NZ’s EOYT. If he’s being granted an early release I assume the NZRU will want compensation. Last year Luke McAllister attempted to unilaterally breach his contract when he realised he wouldn’t be selected for WC11. In his case the NZRU put its foot down
Its something new to see a Union player chasing the biggest paycheck, even if it means he signs a series of short term contracts with different clubs. Perhaps it will become a trend
30 Jun 2012, 22:44 pm
@1 I agree he could become the premier 12. The game will (temporarily?) miss his star quality. His appeal is that he’s a non conformist, at a time when the biggest names are all basically well-mannered & well-spoken choir boys. Think DC or Sir Richie or David Pocock or Fourie du Preez
30 Jun 2012, 22:52 pm
‘@DAS(DAS)-1:
If ‘Rugby is first and foremost a business’
Then the sooner Company SBW pisses off the better
30 Jun 2012, 22:53 pm
Switches from League to Union to become the AB’s “saviour”, fcks around with boxing matches while his mates train, then fcks off to Japan for a season, then back to League for a year and then possibly back to Union to become the AB’s “saviour” for the next WC?
What a wally. He really has a god complex. Regardless of how mesmerising his offload his, he’s be the last person I’d consider for my team.
30 Jun 2012, 22:54 pm
Blues need to move heaven and earth to sign him for 2014…..a million dollar prize fight v Lam could be an incentive.
30 Jun 2012, 22:57 pm
China is going to need new onnerpant.
30 Jun 2012, 23:00 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-7: You reckon he’s going to evacuate his chow mein?
30 Jun 2012, 23:04 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-8:
He’s ready to evacuate the entire tenement.
this one’s a gusher.
30 Jun 2012, 23:07 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-9: On the upside, Sunni Bin might strike up a friendship with Wacko Jacko in the land of the rising sun. Could even end up letting ***** into his heart. So all’s well that ends well.
30 Jun 2012, 23:10 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-9:
Do they call it Chinatown over there
30 Jun 2012, 23:12 pm
Sport mercenary.
30 Jun 2012, 23:13 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-10:
Is Wacko still playing?
How awesome is that.
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-11:
You will have to ask Keo’s Chinese correspondent.
Easy though, he’s a sensitive one.
30 Jun 2012, 23:14 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-5:
Ditto
30 Jun 2012, 23:22 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-13: Dunno. He should be. What a legend he was, up on that crossbar for our sins.
30 Jun 2012, 23:56 pm
wish him all the best and hope to see him in super rugby in the future .
To those who have a problem with SBW going to japan – get stuffed. Nobody complains/ cares when you leave your jobs seeking better pay or opportunities.
Why should it be different for rugby players ?
Yes all commercial sports may as well be considered business . If you as a fan are dumb enough to invest your life into it when you aren’t really a part of it then thats your problem.
Just enjoy game and respect those brave enough and work harn enough to play it.
1 Jul 2012, 01:02 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-5:
Thats OK then, you wont even have ‘a team’ next season.
1 Jul 2012, 03:52 am
It is only in the last few games that SBW has legitimately moved past Nonu as the preferred AB 12. Losing SBW is not going to seriously impact the AB’s, and to be honest the silly amounts of money that his going probably frees up might do more good invested across a wider number of players. SBW has always been a bit of a media sideshow to the main event, and whilst I admire the rugby player he has finally developed into, I won’t miss all the crazy hype that has been associated with his presence. I wish him good luck in Japan and the NRL where I will enjoy watching him from time to time, but I won’t miss his presence in NZ rugby.
1 Jul 2012, 04:20 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-16:
If SBW is going to openly exploit our beloved game
then he deserves all the **** he has been receiving
as for the ignorant dickheads saying he is better then Nonu
dream on boyos
He has done zilcho ,nada sweet **** all against the big boys aka
South Africa and Australia
The selectors need a real 2nd 5 for these teams
Then they give Sonny the last 10 minutes to keep the sponsers happy wink wink
1 Jul 2012, 06:32 am
@spartan(spartan)-19:
Sbw v Nonu, a most enticing battle , the match up that is the real clash of the 2nd fives-inside centres international showpiece 2012 is Sbw v Frans Steyn, never to eventuate….so sad.
1 Jul 2012, 07:44 am
Mate you could have given the 12 jersey to Keiran Read ,Kaino or Thorn
they’d would have done the same job in the 3rd Ireland test that SBW did
yet none of those 3 are rated the best 12 in the world
1 Jul 2012, 07:50 am
hahaha, there he goes just before paying all that money back to nz rugby.
this oke keeps skinning kiwis like a shearer with his flock.
funny thing though, he is now 26 and will be close to 30 at the next wc.
like south africa, kiwiland seems to have a talent conveyor belt so will the kiwis still pay a huge amount of cash for his services?
regardless of the outcome, this oke will never be spoken of as a great all black or a rugby great.
bye bye sunni.
1 Jul 2012, 08:00 am
@spartan(spartan)-21:
Not saying Sbw is best 12 in the world, I know hes better than those three you’ve put up in that position, but a two game match up v Frans Steyn may have proved he is or not, alas not to be.
1 Jul 2012, 08:25 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-22:
I’m one of the many Nzers that wish him good luck, catch you up. Looking forward to him smashing Aussies and Poms at RL WC next year, fingers crossed.
1 Jul 2012, 08:48 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-23:
It almost seems like you and alot of other bloggers have been brainwashed by the over the top hype afforded SBW
I’m a Ma’a Nonu man
Time and time again Ma’a has delivered against the best aka South Africa and Australia
Sonny has had no substantial game time against the big 2
yet people are gushing about him and his non existent world dominating game
There is a serious lack of credibility in this hollow adulation
1 Jul 2012, 09:28 am
@spartan(spartan)-25:
Sorry to disappoint you, yes I have been excited by Sbw’s play and his growth in the game.Coming from a novice to where he is now you have to give him some cedit. Is it because of Ma’a,s perceived demotion that you feel angst towards Sbw? I would like to think I am a Ma’a man too, even after the poor season of the Mighty Blues, but its not a crime to like both is it
1 Jul 2012, 09:36 am
He would have been a rugby great if his heart was in it. On his day he does things no other rugby player can do, but he hasn’t got the burning desire and passion for the game that All Black and Springbok greats do. He’s a league man- that’s his first love and where he’ll be spending his next four years, imo. I look forward to watching him in the NRL.
1 Jul 2012, 09:43 am
No it’s definitely no crime
1 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
It’s only a game. If SBW can make enough money the way he wants to,good for him. He was even contemplating boxing. He’s an individualist and I respect that.
1 Jul 2012, 10:21 am
The Cape Flats will be in mourning today and tomorrow a few applications for name changes will be submitted in Bellville….
1 Jul 2012, 12:19 pm
So long Sonny,
thanks for the memories.
1 Jul 2012, 13:34 pm
We had a lot of fun
We had a lot of money
We had a little son and we thought we’d call him Sonny
Sonny gets married and moves away
Sonny has a baby and bills to pay
Sonny gets sunnier
Day by day by day by day
1 Jul 2012, 19:00 pm
Shocking story. I guess in professinal era this was bound to happen.
Sad though, this man had the potential to be the greates rugby union player in modern time. Currently he is the best and would have been our rugby Muhammed Ali. Rugby union has not really had a super star for a long time. Very sad.
1 Jul 2012, 21:53 pm
You have to hand it to him, he puts himself first….but the boy is gonna miss his momma if Christchurch was deemed too far before!
I also dont like players moving around but what can you do…make hay….i am in country no. 8 so who am I to judge….
1 Jul 2012, 22:53 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-16:
He could make more money (long term) by staying with Super Rugby and the All Blacks.
2 Jul 2012, 08:08 am
It is a pity! SBW has changed the game for the better. Forget his sideshows. He is a brilliant rugby player . A few more years and he would have been one of the greats. He has come a long way with his dicipline and I am sad to see him go. His ability to keep the game alive has already rubbed off on many other players(having said that , it is a blessing for our team) He is one of those players who you hate if he plays against you and love if he is in your team. Good luck to him.
2 Jul 2012, 08:38 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-35: Do you know what the Japanese clubs pay? J Fourie has probably earned more in this one season with that Japanese club than the last four years with the boks!
2 Jul 2012, 08:41 am
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-37: To be factual, J Fourie got paid $1.1 million for hist first season in Japan. Thats almost R8million!!!
2 Jul 2012, 11:04 am
@viewer(viewer)-3:
That is a rather shocking view. Are you saying we should worship at the altar of the selfish, non-team orientated, primadonnas of the world rather than give kudos to the men that are/were the backbone of their teams and were instrumental in building team legacies that will be remember for generations?
SBW is talented without a doubt but since when has talent received greater respect from society than character, commitment and service? The qualities society has always lauded and held up as being more important as they are something you can choose to be rather than just being born lucky.
SBW is free to play what he wants, where he wants. It is his body, talent and time. However, without staying in one place he gives up greatness. That is his choice and I certainly don’t begrudge him to choose money, which I would probably do myself BUT if he gets slated because people would like to think there are higher goals and qualities to strive to… well… not surprising. And there is not a single reason why anyone should defend him. He certainly doesn’t need or want anyone to defend his decision.
2 Jul 2012, 13:51 pm
If Sonny Bill is a mercenary for chasing the buck, can’t the same be said of a Peter Grant etc. that plays in Japan in the off season?
2 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@Eekay(Eekay)-40:
Peter Grant is not in Sonny Bills class. This is not about playing for money. This is about two players being equally talented but one flits around from code to code and the other dedicates himself to one team and which one is worthy of more praise? The dedicated one of course.
Anyway, Peter Grant still plays 80% of the S15. Not nearly the same as SBW deciding he doesn’t want more AB caps or switching to league!?
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