Williams hints at regret over move
10 Jul 2012
Sonny Bill Williams intimated that he would probably have stayed in rugby union with the Chiefs had he known he would adapt to the game as easily as he has.
Williams yesterday announced he would be moving to Japan with the Wild Knights at the end of the Super Rugby campaign and then on to league (thought to be with the Sydney Roosters) following that five-month stint in a deal which includes the opportunity to fight one boxing bout during that time, reportedly in South Africa..
He had agreed a return to league upon his departure to Toulon in 2008 and this move has honoured that agreement. However, the World Cup winning midfielder said he would return to the Chiefs ‘Even if there was no money here I’d come and play for free’ and continued by seemingly showing regret at the deal.
‘I didn’t think I would have loved it as much as I have back here. To be honest I kind of felt like I’d found my place at the Chiefs, with the boys, but it just goes back to [the fact] I’ve given someone my word, this was a while ago, and I’ve had to go on with it even though it was tough,’ he said.
Williams said that at the time he made the commitment to league he was not confident he could return to New Zealand and make a success of rugby.
‘I might not have been good enough and pressure was certainly on me, it wasn’t on anyone else. If it was about the money then I would have just stayed in France [with the Toulon rugby club] where I was getting pretty good coin.’
Williams is available to play in the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship but will not be selected as the selectors feel it makes more sense to go with a player who can establish himself.
75 Comments
10 Jul 2012, 08:50 am
Mercdragon
10 Jul 2012, 08:54 am
@stew(stew)-1: Mercedes Dragon?
10 Jul 2012, 09:00 am
Super Rugby and certainly the Chiefs are going to miss him next year. Hopefully he’ll be back in 2014.
10 Jul 2012, 09:05 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-2: the simon mann kind, mercenary dragon…
10 Jul 2012, 09:06 am
I think Sonny Bill has learnt a huge lesson here. From watching the interview and announcement he made it was obvious he had some regrets about leaving. I think he is making the move more out of a sense of honour and loyalty than just money. In a sense he has gone back home, made friends and become a part of the rugby family and also saw hints of just how good he could become in union. In a sporting sense he is actually walking away from becoming a legend and I think he realises it. Something has changed in the Ronaldo of rugby. Mark my words. He´ll be back as soon as he can.
You could see from the announcement that he has really become part of the NZRU family and that he had good bonds with his coaches both at the All Blacks and Chiefs. For the first time in his life one of his sporting moves is actually hurting him in some way. After watching him score that try on the weekend i´d have to say there is a lot more to him than his offloads only. Given a few more years he could become a real legend of the game (trust me I didnt think so before) but to be honest he has worked hard and has improved his game beyond merely offloading. He´ll be back – give him a year or two.
Nothing can replace family. As he gets older he´s going to want that more and more. A place where he belongs.
10 Jul 2012, 09:11 am
Have a look at the press conference. http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Full-press-conference-Sonny-Bill-Williams-announces-Japan-move/tabid/317/articleID/260647/Default.aspx
10 Jul 2012, 09:11 am
Should have been still at the Saders – T*W*A*T
10 Jul 2012, 09:15 am
Cry me a river.
10 Jul 2012, 09:22 am
Well I don’t regret him moving.
Hope it’s for good.
10 Jul 2012, 09:23 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-5: hear hear.
10 Jul 2012, 09:24 am
@stew(stew)-7: you’re just being an odious cantab
10 Jul 2012, 09:30 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-11: got that right – he would have been perfect this year at 12 , his partnership with Freuen was becoming superb … traitor !!!!!
10 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@stew(stew)-12: he wanted to go home plus you get all the cream of new zealand, guilford, fruean, dagg, when last has canterbury produced a backline player of note, carter is on his last legs.
10 Jul 2012, 09:47 am
If only rugby careers lasted longer. This is probably the only time he’ll be offered the biggest deals in both Japan & the NRL. Like what’s posted above, SBW probably realises now with regret that its come within his reach to be the best 12 in the game. He was perhaps a season or two away from that.
10 Jul 2012, 09:59 am
Sonny
You cannot have your Kate and Edith too.
10 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@viewer(viewer)-14: his performance against the irish was insane…he knows wayne smith was in the process of making him deadly
10 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
SBW was good for the game. We need to judge players on what they do on the field and not on their personalities or what happens off the field. I personally enjoyed his off-loading skills and putting players into space… I hope he comes back – maybe join the Stormers…
10 Jul 2012, 10:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-16:
I read you are also concerned for the safety of Whitney – I love Bakkies – aka galileo, AC, etc, etc, etc…
I wonder if the booze is taking its toll
10 Jul 2012, 10:06 am
Sad to see SBW leave union.He inspired a new breed of younsters like Jan Serfontein and others.
10 Jul 2012, 10:39 am
Bouchie out of tour.Great loss for the Proteas.
10 Jul 2012, 10:40 am
I don’t understand how guys at a similar age like Toeava, Kaino, Hayman, McAlister (and to a less degree older ones like du Preez, Fourie) can leave for cash and no one bats an eyelid. SBW goes back to league (and he will be back in black immediately) and he’s a greedy villain.
10 Jul 2012, 10:40 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-18: We all know he is taking a holy jihad to the Voortrekker monument lookin for inspiration after the battle of kings Park
10 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
@gonzo(gonzo)-21: He really has no loyalty to a team , that is his problem – can you imagine the great centre pairing they could create if he played with one team for more than a season ?
10 Jul 2012, 10:45 am
@stew(stew)-22:
We all know the Bulls supporters only support when winning. But doing a Houdini here is rather stranger… I don’t think I’ve seen a blue blogger while online since Friday night…
Strange but true
Oh I saw Gunts for a while…
10 Jul 2012, 10:45 am
@stew(stew)-23:
He does jump ship quite easily… still a great talent for sure…
10 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@gonzo(gonzo)-21: it’s double standards dude from toffee-nosed self-appointed gatekeepers of union.
10 Jul 2012, 10:50 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-24:
Well, Tacitus did say that after Friday night his interest in rugby has dropped ten-fold!
10 Jul 2012, 10:50 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-24: After that spanking i would also be in hiding !
10 Jul 2012, 10:51 am
@gonzo(gonzo)-21: Get over yourself!Why should people bat an eyelid?Rugby is no different to other professional sports.People move and fair-play to all those players mentioned for looking after themselves an their families.
10 Jul 2012, 10:52 am
The Sharks fans are only happy because their messair does not have to face him in the Rugby Championship
10 Jul 2012, 10:52 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-26: @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-27: How you do you embolden text in your posts?
10 Jul 2012, 10:53 am
@stew(stew)-30: Was lookin forward to that match up though – would of been conclusive who was the best – maybe we will get a chance in the semis ?????
10 Jul 2012, 10:57 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-27:
Like I have always said. Bull supporters only support when the team is winning. Start losing and traffic offenders are fined with Loftus tickets for five… Sad but true…
Province supporters are a breed apart I say…
10 Jul 2012, 10:59 am
enough said!
All Blacks centre Conrad Smith believes Sonny Bill Williams has earned the respect of his fellow players for his work on the field, not the hype that surrounds him off it.
Williams announced on Monday he had signed a one-year contract with Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights and would then be returning to the NRL with an as-yet unnamed side, although it is believed to be the Sydney Roosters.
That means he will finish his commitments with the Chiefs in Super Rugby but won’t play for the All Blacks in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
During his two years in New Zealand rugby he has rarely been off the back pages or sports bulletins as he juggled his commitments with the Crusaders, All Blacks and Chiefs with his boxing ambitions.
His performances with the Chiefs and the All Blacks this year have earned him rave reviews from coaches, media and the fans, although there are still some people who have failed to warm to the cross-code player and his decisions to sign only one-year contracts.
“Sonny, to be fair to him, has been outstanding with the way he plays. He gets the respect from the way he plays not the hype around him. I think that’s what players react off,” said Smith, who formed a formidable midfield pairing with Williams during the series against Ireland.
“[The hype] goes on around him but he’s got used to it and he’s very good at just switching off and concentrating on playing the game.
“I just think it’s always nice having him around and playing with him in the All Blacks.
“I haven’t played with him a lot but it would have been nice [if he'd stayed].
“It’s his decision and you’ve just got to respect it.”
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett believes the departure of the 26-year-old second five-eighth will be a loss.
“I think it’s disappointing for New Zealand rugby. You saw him really make an improvement as a rugby player,” the former All Black hooker said.
“I don’t know Sonny personally, so there would be no judgment whatsoever, but one thing’s a guarantee about him it doesn’t seem to matter what sport he tries his hand at he’s successful at it. He’s a big lure to anyone who can grab him that’s for sure.”
Hammett isn’t expecting Monday’s announcement to be a major distraction for Williams ahead of his side’s must-win showdown with the Chiefs on Friday night.
“He’s very professional and he’s proved that for years now in and out of different codes and different sports. He’ll turn up as focused as he always is.”
10 Jul 2012, 11:14 am
@willievz(willievz)-31:
Soos volg (verwyder elke keer die spasie na die “<" as jy dit tik):
“teks hierso”
“teks hierso”
10 Jul 2012, 11:15 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-35:
Hmmmm. Ten spyte van die spasie het dit nog steeds dit gebold.
OK – verwyder die aanhalingstekens: “” voor die woorde, en “” na dit.
10 Jul 2012, 11:15 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-36:
Ag nee man. Dit laat my nie toe nie.
10 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
SBW: “riddle, wrapped in mystery”
For a player of such unbridled potential in either rugby code, of undoubted wealth, and exceptional physical presence, Sonny Bill Williams remains an enigmatic figure.
He’s the sporting equivalent of Sir Winston Churchill’s view of Russia in the early months of World War Two, ‘a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma’.
A burgeoning star in the All Blacks midfield he had the rugby world at his feet, consistency of top-level performance was all that stood between him and greatness.
Watching his performance, and his air of vulnerability, as he nervously made his announcement at the Chiefs training unit on Monday, it was possible to detect something of the bubble that Williams lives in.
His coaches and his team-mates speak without restraint of their affection for him, of his work ethic and his professionalism and desire to learn.
He is a special sportsman. He hasn’t won over hard-bitten critics for no reason at all. He might have been performing at the outer extremes of the game, again consistency would have welcomed him into the mainstream, but he made an impact because of the innovation he brought.
His direct, power-running and his much appreciated off-loading skill showed his point of difference and were skills to be exploited as his confidence grew in midfield.
That prospect will soon be lost, who knows what yet he may reveal before the Super Rugby season ends, and even should he return to the game ahead of the 2015 World Cup, it has to be wondered if the skill development might ever reach its fruition.
And that remains the common denominating question in Williams’ version of the sporting world.
Will his skills, in whatever field he chooses – rugby, league, boxing – ever be maximised?
Sporting prowess is a fleeting thing. The years of peak performance are concentrated into a brief period of time. Many sportsmen in their quest for their goal have risked alienation from those who most appreciate the qualities they bring to the game, or games, they excel in.
That quality of self-direction is what sets them apart and leads them to their success.
But for whatever reason, Williams showed an ability to win over people. Recall the interest that surrounded his time starting out in club rugby in Christchurch. Look at the way he was accepted by the Chiefs. He appreciated the interest taken in him by the general public and he responded to it.
All of which makes his persona much harder to categorise. He is unclassifiable and may never fit the mould that so many would like to put him in.
It is difficult even to compare him with anyone else in the sporting field, certainly in New Zealand’s brief professional history there is nothing to compare. Perhaps the closest was Glenn Turner who switched off from Test cricket at the peak of his powers when clashing with amateur administrators in New Zealand who lived in a different world. But even Turner’s versatility was confined to the different forms of cricket and his innovative qualities were not as comparably revolutionary as those Williams brought to the oval ball codes.
Because of who he is, and what he has achieved, Williams will be followed with interest by those he touched in New Zealand. He may continue to bank on his assets, and good luck to him if they prove especially prosperous, but the feeling remains that had he committed to one choice his legacy might have been richer. Then again, he may well be happy with that state of affairs. Who will ever know?
10 Jul 2012, 11:23 am
“”
10 Jul 2012, 11:24 am
10 Jul 2012, 11:24 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-37: Sien 40 en 41.
Ek sukkel
10 Jul 2012, 11:25 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-38: Transie how do you embolden text
10 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
“ voor die woorde, en ” na dit.
10 Jul 2012, 11:29 am
Check out this SBW lookalike
http:// tyneandwear.sky.com/sunderland/article/24771
10 Jul 2012, 11:30 am
Anybody know the latest on Mitchell at the Lions
10 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
Trans, they will bounce back. For sure they miss marshall, macdonald, mauger, merhtens, ralph, vunibaka, laulala and such types of players
10 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
Ja he made a huge f’up with the decision to go to Japan and subsequently on to League again… and he knows it, … but unlike some players who will renege on a deal already signed and sealed and look for loop holes to get out of a binding contract, Williams is seeing his commitment through, even though he would prefer not to.
This tells a lot about the character of the guy, he’s got all the talent in the world and has been likened to an outright mercenary selling it to the highest bidder, but back at the ranch he now realizes he should have stayed in rugby union and made his legacy there and though its a mistake he’s prepared to bite the bullet of the wrong decision and try turn it around further on down the line.
Pity for him and for NZ rugby that it turned out like that but those are the lessons needed to get learned in sport and in life that money and business ain’t everything, … honor, dignity and real satisfaction at real reward for effort imparted into a teamwork ethic speaks more than the lone individual striking out for either monetary gain or personal stardom.
10 Jul 2012, 11:34 am
10 Jul 2012, 11:45 am
There is a similarity between Skinstad (before the car accident) playing style and SBW.
Maybe Skinstad wasn’t as quick as SBW but he had the same athletic ability and uncanny playing style that set them apart from the rest. Zinzan Brooke falls into the same category.
After the accident Skinstad was never the same and the Tiechmann saga in 1999 definitely had a negative effect on the rest of his career.
10 Jul 2012, 11:50 am
I’ll add the name of kevin senio to the list above.
10 Jul 2012, 11:56 am
@willievz(willievz)-43:
Die ding modify wat ek tik…ok kom ek skryf dit so uit:
Eers tik jy .
Dan die woorde.
Dan tik jy na dit .
Soos dit.
10 Jul 2012, 11:57 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-51:
Ag nee man. Dit verwyder heeltyd wat ek tik.
willievz, hier is ‘n link, probeer dit: http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/html-code-for-bold
10 Jul 2012, 11:59 am
@willievz(willievz)-42: try this
before the word/s or sentence you want to embolden put and after it put …don’t include the – dashes though… and
10 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-53: what the f….!
10 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-29: Maybe I phrased that badly…what i meant was why does no one mind the others leaving for money and SBW gets called a villain for going to league, the sport he loves? I support him all the way – he’ll make twice the impact for NZ league as he could in rugby.
It’s a shame he’s missing out on the chance to create a legacy in rugby but he has the chance to do the same in league if he sticks with it and with one team.
10 Jul 2012, 12:09 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-54:
It’s like we’re being censored, Transie…
10 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
What a crock of shi t. SBW is chasing the $, and nothing else matters.
10 Jul 2012, 12:11 pm
Fcken HTML geeks.
10 Jul 2012, 12:20 pm
@gonzo(gonzo)-55:
Sbw has nothing to prove in League, hes a phenom in the game. He left on bad terms but he hopes going back will erase some of that bad blood, which I am sure it will, perhaps not with the dogs fans though. Heres hoping he will return to union in the future and stake his legacy .
10 Jul 2012, 12:26 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-59: I reckon after his league stint we will see him move full time into boxing. It’s a pity as the AB’s could have done with a SBW/Conrad Smith centre pairing
10 Jul 2012, 12:27 pm
@RefuGSpot(garth)-57: Well he did turn down a huge offer from Toulon to stay instead he took a big pay cut to play in NZ so he can’t be only about the money
10 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
I, for one, would like to see him try his hand at MMA, modern dance and pottery before returning to union. And what’s the money like in Yoga these days?
10 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-60:
He will be kidding himself if he thinks he will make it in the boxing game in terms of creating a legacy . His natural gifts are more centered around an oval ball.
10 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-63: I agree but I still reckon he will try and make it after the league stint…
10 Jul 2012, 12:39 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-59: I bet he felt sick the day NZ won the RL world cup without him. He wants a crack at it next year. Win, lose or draw, there won’t be much more for him after that. I agree – he’d be better to come back to NZ, work his way into the starting 15 and help us defend it in 2015.
@>^..^< katman(katman)-62: NZ hasn’t had a real pottery star for years. I’m just not sure if he’s up to it – those big clumsy fingers and tendency to shoulder charge opponents at the wrong moment
10 Jul 2012, 12:55 pm
@gonzo(gonzo)-65:
How did the kiwis pull that one off? To think if the Wallabies could tap into that talent Australia had on show that night they could be unbeatable, thank the almighty most Ozzies hate rugby.
10 Jul 2012, 13:33 pm
Hahaha , The Cape Crusaders lost their hero.
youtube.com/watch?v=F5OB0wtOSj0
10 Jul 2012, 13:41 pm
This text is bold
This text is big
This text is italic
This is subscript and superscript
10 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-68:
Only bold and italic working.
10 Jul 2012, 15:59 pm
I can’t begrudge a man maximizing his earning potential. But I do think it’s a shame, he was becoming the best #12 in the world, and attracted people to union because he played the game in such a unique style.
All the guys he plays with seem to love him, his coaches regularly praise his professionalism and work ethic. Seems to me he gets a bad rap from a lot of people that isn’t totally justified.
10 Jul 2012, 18:59 pm
” but it just goes back to [the fact] I’ve given someone my word, this was a while ago, and I’ve had to go on with it even though it was tough,’ he said.”
I am confused. Did he promise to return as the best paid and the best paid only?
Otherwise, all those “hints” makes him look even more ridiculous, IMHO.
10 Jul 2012, 23:53 pm
haha, sunni “isnt interested in trhe money” yet he will be paid 1 million rand per game is japland.
****** suckers.
this oke is so well stage managed its frightening.
good luck to him, he is a tunc imo. shoulder charges and hollywood moments, fukkoff sunni, good riddance.
11 Jul 2012, 01:12 am
@fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-47:
Maybe you should stop sniffing your polyfilla Skopsuster…remember this?
Sources suggest today that prominent Bulldogs and New Zealand Rugby League forward, Sonny Bill Williams has walked out on the Bulldogs club and quit the NRL. Information is still coming to hand – but it’s believed Sonny Bill Williams has actually left the country for reasons unknown and is shortly about to link up with French Rugby Union club Toulon.
Williams apparently left Australia yesterday without letting team mates or officials at the Bulldogs know.
The star Rugby League forward has a contract with the Bulldogs in the NRL for another 4 season and the walk-out will surely see a legal battle erupt.
Bulldogs SEO Todd Greenberg said: “”I’ve had QC’s look at his contract and there is absolutely no get-out clause.”
”I’m shocked to hear of this situation with Sonny Bill Williams because I saw him Oatley at 7.30am today.’’
Yes, that is correct, he walked out on his team mates without even talking to them, mid week, mid season, mid contract! So trying to tell me it is all about a handshake is bullshit!
11 Jul 2012, 01:23 am
42% (the highest grouping) on last nights Reunion programme said that they did’nt give a toss about “Money Bill” leaving, so it appears that a fair whack of keewees agree with some of the sentiments above
11 Jul 2012, 07:17 am
Oh well.
He’s made his futon.
Now he must lie in it.
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