Sonny Bill Williams

[Mainlander]

That's why I said squad and not starting team.

However if he was in the Aussie Squad I think Deans would seriously consider having him on the bench specialy in the HK test, As an impact he very well could be what would make the difference to get the wannabbes over the line and a long awaited win over the AB's. Barnes doesn't bring that to the table.

Also a backline of Gina, Cooper, Gits and SBW would be something worth watching.

I personally doubt we'll see him in Black for the HK test, I think the Cartel wont use him until the Scotland game and maybe off the bench for the Welsh game injury allowing.

 

[dobduff11]

11 prodigy has compiled some clips of SBW:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_IKOirdGwo

Some great compilations of Lote, quade, mils muliaina, C cullen,h gear, gits and rupeni in there,

 

[tranquility]

what he has done in the NPC is a short space of time is incredible. I don't mind all the hype that he is generating, I would prefer the attention in our code in stead of that other one.

 

[RugbyReg]

good article by Lance Free from the blog

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/im-all-sonny-billed-out/

 

[Ruggo]

He has come along way in regards to the top four inches since he has been in NZ. It probably stasrted at Toulon. Good on him.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

[video=youtube;1IM5hVcNJXQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IM5hVcNJXQ&feature=related[/video]

Don't know if this has already been posted but a kiwi mate just sent it too me, he looks scary

 

[Gnostic]

His continued and deepening association with one A. Mundine doesn't bode well for either his attitude or long term commitment.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

His continued and deepening association with one A. Mundine doesn't bode well for either his attitude or long term commitment.

I think his attitude is second to none of all current and past the league converts. Learning his trade in the French division under Tana and passing up a multimillion dollar deal to work his way into the All Blacks squad, he was sublime with Canterbury. He’s been humble and unassuming in all his done in rugby to date.

 

[WB3]

He is MASSIVE. I hope we have a good defender on him when he plays us, because if he isn't put on the deck quickly (and behind the advantage line) those offloads are going to open us up.

 

[Groucho]

He is MASSIVE. I hope we have a good defender on him when he plays us, because if he isn't put on the deck quickly (and behind the advantage line) those offloads are going to open us up.

Remember that the offloading style has advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Reddy!]

I have alot of respect for Sonny Bill. A lot.

Quitting a code that he grew up loving and which made him famous because he could no longer play for a code that continues to develop a poor reputation. And being very composed and articulate during the media storm that followed, like water off a ducks back. And then to back himself to make the All Blacks when he started playing in France, all while staying out of any further controversy and doing the hard yards to come back from injury setbacks and play grass roots footy. He is easily one of the most physically imposing players in the game and will be a real star of 2011 - how good is Super Rugby going to be just to watch him play?! I cannot wait. Compare Williams to someone like Greg Iglis and you can easily see how Sonny Bill was born for international test match rugby.

 

[cyclopath]

Very impressive in that video, and I know the "bad" bits aren't there. That offloading ability is huge, especially with his devastating fend. Not slow either. I think he could be a superstar. And he has done it the right way.

 

[Jnor]

there are also quite a few replays in there. I have no doubt that he will develop into a seriously good international footballer and I'm reasonably sure his head's in the right place but he's not quite there... yet

 

[Scarfman]

2:20 is very nice. I wish him the best of success.

 

[I like to watch]

I think his attitude is second to none of all current and past the league converts. Learning his trade in the French division under Tana and passing up a multimillion dollar deal to work his way into the All Blacks squad, he was sublime with Canterbury. He’s been humble and unassuming in all his done in rugby to date.

Passing up a multi million $$ deal??
I recall he snuck out of the country & left his teammates high & dry DESPITE having a long term Mungo contract in place.
He did this, solely chasing a multi Million $ deal.
He is a great talent, he is humble but he is no saint. He is no better than Rogers Lote or Wendall

 

[Reddy!]

Passing up a multi million $$ deal??
I recall he snuck out of the country & left his teammates high & dry DESPITE having a long term Mungo contract in place.
He did this, solely chasing a multi Million $ deal.
He is a great talent, he is humble but he is no saint. He is no better than Rogers Lote or Wendall

You can't say that yet, he still has another 5 years in the game or more to prove that what ever decision he originally made to leave the Bulldogs was the right one. At the moment he is in a good position to achieve more than he ever could achieve in League, and I think it took a lot of guts to do what he did. Now take Tahu, that is a bloke who is pretty gutless, he was just fortunate enough to get a free ride into the Wallabies.

 

[I like to watch]

Irrespective of what he achieves in the game, it was a Dog act to slink away mid contract with the Dogs (excuse the pun). We are all forgetting this was a mere 5 or 6 months since he renogotiated his new contract
Not quite sure what Tahu has done wrong to anyone?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Passing up a multi million $$ deal??
I recall he snuck out of the country & left his teammates high & dry DESPITE having a long term Mungo contract in place.
He did this, solely chasing a multi Million $ deal.
He is a great talent, he is humble but he is no saint. He is no better than Rogers Lote or Wendall

He passed up a $6 Million dollar deal (largest offer in Rugby history) to stay with Toulon and instead signed with Canterbury ($550k) so that he could have a crack at the All Blacks squad.

He is head and shoulders above Rogers, Lote and Wendall.

 

[WB3]

Remember that the offloading style has advantages and disadvantages.

True, although his increasing precision in executing it (and from what I gather, more judicious use of it - he is taking the ball to ground more often isn't he?) means that if given the opportunity, what I can see happening is SBW attracting (insert centre here) and then delivering a ball to a rampaging Nonu or something who will probably breach our average midfield defence.

Basically, the disadvantages of the offloading style centre on his decision-making. His ball security still seems good with that obscene single-handed Radike Samo grip so if he keeps his head I can see that skill being no more of a liability than the skill of kicking - it only goes wrong when technique is poor or when it isn't tactically sensible.

 

[I like to watch]

He passed up a $6 Million dollar deal (largest offer in Rugby history) to stay with Toulon and instead signed with Canterbury ($550k) so that he could have a crack at the All Blacks squad.

He is head and shoulders above Rogers, Lote and Wendall.

But doesn't that just show that his priorities have changed? Some of you guys are making out that he is a saint for deciding to play in NZ.
The reality is that he will be the biggest name sportsman in the country(and the biggest earner)
I don't see how he has demonstrated he is better than any of the Mungoes quoted(I am referring to off field not on field).

In any case it will be good watching him for as long as he decides to stay in NZ.