Comments on: SBW’s absence will cut deep

By: The Donkeys Egg

The Donkeys Egg — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:41:01 +0000

@DonutDunning-26: - Made his debut for the Kiwis as their youngest-ever Test player in the 2004 ANZAC Test against Australia. - Experienced Premiership success in his rookie year and became the youngest person to play for the Bulldogs in a Grand Final when playing off the bench in the Bulldogs' 16–13 victory over the Sydney Roosters in the 2004 NRL grand final. - Capped off a successful debut season by receiving the International Newcomer of the Year Award and being named in Rugby League World magazine's 2004 World XIII. does not translate to "almost a nobody in League" compared to anyone, Mal Meninga & King Wally included. The likes of Inglis, Marshall & Slater only star when the ugly mutts up front have done the damage first.

By: DonutDunning

DonutDunning — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:59:29 +0000

@Te Rangatira-22: The worst part is that SBW was almost a nobody in league in comparison to some of the players you've listed. Beside being a crowd favourite with his trademark shoulder charges, he never came close to the level of Inglis, Marshall, Slater or Thurston in his previous stint in the NRL.

By: umad

umad — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:31:10 +0000

Is he still fighting die Wit Buffel?

By: TASSIES

TASSIES — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 06:45:48 +0000

I enjoyed your piece Ryan. It was well written, informative and will generate discussion. I think its material such as this which keeps this site alive and worth visiting. A genuine ‘well done’.

By: Rage

Rage — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 06:24:12 +0000

@22

only saw youtube clips but Benji Marshall is an outrageous talent. hell rugby needs these guys with their freakish talents.Heard of Inglis too..will check some of those other names out sometime

By: Te Rangatira

Te Rangatira — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 05:34:14 +0000

To think there are players in the league ranks who are the equivalent of Sbw…..Inglis, Barber,Thurston,Marshall,Slater…….feel yourself lucky Sa. As for Sbw……a Blues jersey is awaiting you 2014 or anytime you wish.

By: The Donkeys Egg

The Donkeys Egg — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:07:59 +0000

@heboric-5:

Theyve slept well for the past season knowing they ddnt have to watch their backs, necks, eyes and ribs and….since Bakkies left. The Bulls miss him so much, they even named a ‘move’ in his honour. You may have seen it – Chilliboy and Flip, like Laurel & Hardy, getting “Bakkies’d” vs the Crusaders, with not even a squeezed-pimple blemish in sight.

It looks liike your nikname has been stolen – surely it was ‘hubris’.

By: JL1

JL1 — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:30:25 +0000

Not another I love Sonny, media hype

Cannot tackle, cannot kick, shoulder charge

Keo, show how many games you played and at what level

By: gonzo

gonzo — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:00:01 +0000

@keo-16: Keo, a lot of SBW articles. Are you hoping to cash in and write his book or just a genuine fan? Me, I'm sad to see him go. I have no problem with him changing clubs. Crusaders is a gang of glory chasers, more than half of them are from out of the province and surely there because of the region's success. SBW instead went to the Chiefs, not for money, not for glory, but to be close to his Mum (and to escape the earthquakes). He took the glory with him and won the super cup.

By: sparticus

sparticus — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:04:38 +0000

Greatest rugby player since carter came onto the scene. NZ seems to produce them like no other country. Like of lomu,carter,Mccaw and zinzan were not only the best at their time but arguably the best ever in their positions.

By: Hurricane

Hurricane — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:40:36 +0000

@keo-14: Wham @keo-15: Bam This is like old school batman program

By: keo

keo — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:36:42 +0000

@lepel-12: Damage done? He is the first true professional in that he refuses anything beyond a 1 year contract and is willing to take the risks of pay me what I am worth and if I don't produce don't pay me the next year. A brilliant athlete and an even better rugby league and union player. To have produced at the level he did after 18 months in rugby in NZ takes a special talent. The opinions on SBW I value are that of his opposition, his teammates and his coaches. None works harder at his game, he is a huge team man and all agree he is brilliant for the game, not the field and because of the drawcard he is off the field.

By: keo

keo — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:33:44 +0000

@Hofter Son-10: thanks I take it you have done the survey on rugby's global audience to speak with such authority

By: keo

keo — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:32:50 +0000

@whatever-1: another of those intellectual South African giants, bullish because he is anonymous, and limited in offering anything of substance. Logon 'whatever' opening line 'door'

By: Gumboots

Gumboots — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:15:59 +0000

He brought so much to the game. He will be missed…

By: lepel

lepel — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 13:24:45 +0000

A really talented player, but the real thing he has done for rugby is opened it up to the idea of swapping clubs and transferring constantly (think European Football). I think in the long run we’ll look back and consider the damage he’s done more than the brilliance of his ability.

Terrific ability, the ultimate gun-for-hire. Rugby will miss the SBW spectacle, but not the man himself.

By: SexyTime

SexyTime — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:53:22 +0000

1 Whatever

F0K jou. Nobody has a bigger and broader following than him. Lomu made rugby attractive to rugby lovers AND people that are new to the game. Name me a bigger stadium filler and crowd pleaser since Lomu?

By: Hofter Son

Hofter Son — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:33:44 +0000

Jonah was far more influential, intimidating, game changing and inspiring than Sonny Bill could ever hope to be.

By: Rage

Rage — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:27:51 +0000

1 whatever

please remind us all of your achievements on a rugby field…and dont give us some smart-*** answer…

By: munkiboi

munkiboi — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:23:40 +0000

I’d rather he was available. you always want to see the best against the best.