SBW signs with the NZRU

[Grandmaster Flash]

http://www.allblacks.com/news/13254/Sonny-Bill-Williams-signs-with-NZRU-and-aims-for-All-Blacks

The New Zealand Rugby Union has today announced that 24-year-old Sonny Bill Williams has committed to playing rugby in New Zealand starting with next month's ITM Cup.

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew welcomed Williams’ commitment as a sign of the continued pulling power of the black jersey and the strong rugby environment and development opportunities offered in New Zealand.

“We’re delighted that after some very positive discussions with Sonny Bill’s representatives, he has today signed a contract committing himself to rugby in New Zealand from the start of the ITM Cup season, through to the end of 2011.

“Sonny Bill has proved himself as an outstanding athlete and a skilful player in two codes and has shown his rugby potential with Toulon in France. He will be an exciting addition to the 2010 ITM Cup domestic competition,” Mr Tew said.

Sonny Bill Williams said from his base in Sydney that he had yet to decide which ITM Cup province and Super Rugby franchise he would join.

“My first decision has been to commit to New Zealand and I’ve done that today. The next step will be to decide on a province and I’ll decide that closer to my return to New Zealand early next month.

“I’m coming home to pursue my childhood dream and work towards earning an All Blacks jersey. The first priority after choosing a province will be to focus on settling into New Zealand rugby and preparations for the ITM Cup,” he said.

Have to admit that I am excited to see how he goes in the S15. Word over at TSF is that he'll go to the Crusaders.

 

[cyclopath]

He's a good enough athlete to do well, that's for sure. I wonder how his posse of dickheads will fit in at the Crusaders - they seem to have a pretty good "no dickheads" structure there. Good luck to him. I presume he will be trying to stamp himself as a 13, although maybe 12 presents better opportunities at the moment in NZ.

 

[MrMouse]

Oh sweet. But :nta: is ITM Cup aka NPC aka Air NZ Cup? How can I keep up if it keeps changing?

I think it would be great if somehow NZRU steered him towards the Highlanders or somewhere that could use the talent, but I can understand why Crusaders' fast-track talent development would appeal all round.

 

[DPK]

Is he considered a "darky"?

 

[Cutter]

I think he wants to play 12 and play for the Crusaders because he would be running off DC. I'd do the same in his shoes.

 

[disco]

We'll see him in hong kong if the bledisloe is already decided by then.

I think he's a much better league player than he is rugby, his biggest weapon in attack is his offload & in defence is his shoulder charge.

In league you don't see many first up tacklers hit around the legs which play's into SBW hands as he has a very strong upper body & in league if you go low he'll offload everytime as he has 10 metres to work with & the support player is usually in space & not under pressure like rugby.

 

[Blue]

We'll see him in hong kong if the bledisloe is already decided by then.

I think he's a much better league player than he is rugby, his biggest weapon in attack is his offload & in defence is his shoulder charge.

In league you don't see many first up tacklers hit around the legs which play's into SBW hands as he has a very strong upper body & in league if you go low he'll offload everytime as he has 10 metres to work with & the support player is usually in space & not under pressure like rugby.

From what I have seen, which is about 6 Toulon games, he is without a doubt developing into a rugby player. His offload is hugely valuable ,and I believe he actually hits with his arms leading these days.

The jury is out, but the signs are there that he will do okay.

I think it's great for the game.

 

[#1 Tah]

ABs now have serious talent at 13.
SBW
Kahui
Ranger
Conrad Smith

 

[RugbyReg]

and yet only one can play 13.

 

[Scorz]

He'll be at 12, competing with Nonu. Look at the style the Cartel have stuck to, crash ball runner at 12 is a big cog.

 

[Scarfman]

His head-high no arms tackling style has been coached by Tana Umaga into a head-high with some hint of arms tacklng style.

 

[Scorz]

His head-high no arms tackling style has been coached by Tana Umaga into a head-high with some hint of arms tacklng style.

Yeah, apparently his next lesson is: Cleaning out sooky Irishmen at ruck time...

Seriously though, you tube him, it's quite obvious he has been tackling properly for a while.

 

[fatprop]

He'll be at 12, competing with Nonu. Look at the style the Cartel have stuck to, crash ball runner at 12 is a big cog.

As long as Smith is at 13