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Unless you’re really into French club rugby or went to The Snake Pit in Belfast a couple of weekends ago, then you still haven't seen Sonny Bill Williams play rugby.
My mate Wilden plays number eight for the Cobras and reckons SBW’s a bit like Leah’s favourite player, Richard Kahui: a good tackler, a good offloader, a nice guy, but breaks down a lot.
Wilden limbering up before a game for some other team. Is that Mils smoking a ciggie?
I hope his hamstring niggle doesn’t keep him out long because no doubt the guy is skilled. The things he did for the Bulldogs and the Kiwis (when he wasn’t injured) were amazing. I want to see what 500-thousand dollars worth of talent can do.
SBW’s obviously come here to become an All Black and play in next year’s World Cup. That’s one hell of a challenge even for a guy like him.
For one, he’s got a 50-test veteran Ma’a Nonu to get past. I don’t see that happening.
Two, the best things he did in rugby league were: a) shoulder charge people, and b) give offloads in the tackle. In union, shoulder charges are illegal and offloading’s far more risky with four extra players on the field clogging up space.
And three, he’s only played French club rugby. Talk to Auckland fullback Brent Ward, they play a different game up there. More forward oriented and at a lesser pace than the entertaining brand down here. Southern Hemisphere rugby will suit SBW no doubt, but may take a while to adjust to and he doesn’t have much time til the World Cup.
But, there’s no way to judge just how well he’ll cope other than to see the guy play. Everyone’s obviously interested. Four thousand people and an All Blacks coach at a club game!
Like the guy or not, that’s the beauty of having SBW on our side. He brings people to the game. I have no doubt that when he finally makes his provincial rugby debut for Canterbury, he’ll bring thousands of extra people through the gate. And that’s awesome.
Some people will never forgive him...
John Day