Sonny Bill Williams a bit eligible for Wallabies
By David Beniuk, 8 Jun 2009 David Beniuk is a Roar Pro
Rugby convert Sonny Bill Williams has revealed he is eligible to represent the Wallabies because he has an Australian grandmother, describing himself as “a bit Aussie”.
Williams’ maternal grandmother could mean he becomes a lot Aussie, with her nationality qualifying him to play for Australia under International Rugby Board regulations.
Williams played rugby league for New Zealand and is also eligible to play union for the All Blacks and Samoa.
He has previously said he wants to play rugby for New Zealand but has made no firm commitment to any nation.
The sticking point is that Australia and New Zealand only pick players from their Super rugby teams, meaning Williams would need to return from French club Toulon to be selected for either.
“My grandma, she’s full-blooded Australian. I think she grew up in Paddington,” Williams told the Australian Rugby Union’s website, www.rugby.com.au.
Told that meant he could eventually play for any of three countries, he said: “I guess so.
“I’ve always just said I’m half-Kiwi and half-Samoan but I guess I am a bit Aussie.
“When I was young it was funny because I always used to think my Nanna was a bit strange, it was just that Aussie sense of humour and when I came over here I knew what she was on about.
“She’s a good old lady.”
Williams played his first rugby match on Australian soil, and first of any code in this country since walking out on NRL club the Bulldogs, for the Barbarians in Saturday night’s 55-7 loss to the Wallabies at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Australian rugby officials said they would take a wait-and-see attitude to him possibly wearing the gold jersey.
“For a player to play for the Wallabies he needs to tick two boxes,” an ARU spokesman said.
“One is eligibility and the other is playing in Australia.
“In terms of the first, Sonny Bill Williams has an Australian grandmother.
“In terms of the second, if he did decide to play in Australia when his time in Toulon is over, then he would be considered for the Wallabies like any other eligible player.
“If he wishes to play in Australia in the future I’m sure we’ll hear from him.”
The revelation came as Williams received mixed reviews for his first international appearance.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly said finding a suitable position could prove difficult for the outside centre.
“A player can be a wonderful rugby league player but can’t find a position in rugby and he could fall into that category if he’s not careful,” Connolly told AAP.
Asked about his chances of playing for the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup, Connolly said: “I would probably think it’s a long bow to draw at this stage.
“It’s not impossible but I would think you’d have to think it would be unlikely.”
Dual international Michael O’Connor was more upbeat.
“He looked to get involved, he’s got the build, he’s got the football nous and he’s picked it up pretty quickly,” O’Connor told AAP.
All Black Luke McAlister, who played with Williams on Saturday, said NZ rugby should do everything it can to secure his services.
“Just a bit of guidance and a bit of skill work, and learning the game playing with good players, he’ll be outstanding,” he told NZPA.
“I don’t know what his plans are for the next few years, but New Zealand should break the bank to get him over.”
Williams himself was pleased with his first international.
“Even though we got hammered here tonight and I copped a few big hits, I learnt a lot and I’m pleased with the week,” he said.
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Hemjay said | June 8th 2009 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Oh how quickly the Australian public turns, not so long ago they wanted his blood voted him the most unpopular man in Australia. Now they just can’t seem to get enough of him every time you turn the pages theres another story about the Kiwi from Auckland.
Isn’t it amazing that his grandmother being Australian has only just come out now, you would think the tjournos would’ve done their homework when he was playing Rugby League to see if he was elegible for the Kangaroos seems to me the researchers have been a tad slack over there in the West Islands
As for where he will go, lets be honest here its going to come down to who will offer him the most money. You could all but write of Samoa, the All Blacks it seems are a little aprehensive and I think there is a little doubt about his potential to really hit his straps before 2011 not to mention where they would play him.
Australia seems like a worthwhile option as the talent pool is far smaller so they would love the chance to buy in some talent. However is he just taking the piss or like I said above is hoping Australia can buy his services at top dollar. If this is the case what does that say about the integrity of the guy if he is whoring his nationality to the highest bidder.
Lets just wait and see where he goes. Whats more enticing for him the Mana of the All Blacks, The dollar of the Wallabies or the pride of Samoa. Not to mention the frogs could also secure him yet
Dan said | June 8th 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
To be honest I think SBW is just recognising that most of the “hate” for him was all News Ltd bullshit, and that even if some die hard bull dogs fans are still pissed most other fans didn’t begrudge him (after all we all hate the dogs anyway) and the Rugby Union community certainly never thought ill of him (I’d argue most people immediately thought “I wonder if we can get him in one of our S14 teams?”). He said himself that arriving back in Australia for the boxing match that he was surprised at the support he was getting on the street from people, so maybe with Robbie at the helm there’s a chance he’d come play for us. Still though, if he turned down SOO to play for NZ in League, you wouldn’t think he’d play for the wallabies in Union…
Hemjay said | June 8th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Dan who knows. Toni Carroll played for both NZ and Australia at league
Brad Thorn played League for Queensland and Australia and he plays his Rugby for the All Blacks
If anything Sonny has shown that money talks and I believe he will go to the country who offers him the most money. The thing is his grandmother is Australian that doesn’t exactly make him Australian now does it? Well it does make him Aussie enough to get into the Wallabies how pathetic really like he said he’s always claseed himself as half Kiwi and half Samoan now a bit Aussie. I think he’s probably just taking the piss and after all the crap he was given in Australia he might be playing them at the same game. Build them up then chop them down hard and fast later down the track.
Its all a bit of Circus with young Sonny but it will be intersting to see the frenzy that the ARU becomes now knowing he could possibly play for the Wallabies.
Dan said | June 8th 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
The other thing of course is we honestly haven’t seen enough of him to get excited about him playing Union yet either… He’s been playing in the centres for Toulon and was again for the Baabaas, but he’s a forward in Rugby League and when other players have made such drastic position changes in the past it hasn’t worked (Andy Farrel). He looked to have promise in the Baabaas game I thought, but one of his great and distinguishing skills in League, his powerful shoulder charge, is illegal in Rugby, so we’re really left more with his offload ability (which, to be fair, still looks pretty good).
bennalong said | June 8th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Hemjay,
You confuse Australian public with the press, though unfortunately a lot of dills are unable to think for themselves.
If I were a “dogs fan I’d tear his liver out.
League’s under a lot of pressure now so that options out, but reasonably every code should reward team loyalty. Sonny Bill’s a young fella out for fame and fortune so loyalty doesn’t rate.
You can’t blame him but…………………..
…………For his own sake he should go for the country he feel the strongest link with and give it all his heart.
MarkH said | June 8th 2009 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Guys I recon just give the kid a chance. He’ll do what he wants. Id like to see him play for an Aussie prov side, if he plays for the ABs..so what. He will improve and good luck to him.
Justin said | June 8th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
France maybe in front of everyone. What is the eligibility, 3 years? Only needs another year added to his contract and I think he would be a chance to be in blue…
nick said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
sonny bill lived here for years. surely that qualifies him… isn’t the residency rule about 4 years?
he is far more australian than that prop kepu.
still, his best shot of getting a game is samoa, cant see him thriving there though.
nick said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
reading over that comment, im not saying that he SHOULD come to australia to play for us
what i am saying is i wouldnt feel disgusted if he did.
Working Class Rugger said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Sekope Kepu was born in Australia. So by birth Kepu is Australian.