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.
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
June 8th 2009 @ 3:08pm
Hemjay said | June 8th 2009 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
He’s about Australian as Nathan Fien is a Kiwi,
Still its his choice and wouldn’t it be classic of he chooses Australia over NZ then the ABs win the world cup how would that make him feel the League and Union world cups without his over inflated ego lol,
But seriously he has a hard choice to make. The guy is a Kiwi / Samoan any other choice is just a joke. It’s like Riki Flutey playing for England he’s as English as my big toe.
Money talks and you can guarantee he’ll be screaming SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
Whoever does will buy his nationality
June 8th 2009 @ 6:28pm
nick said | June 8th 2009 @ 6:28pm | Report comment
world class rugger,
kepu was born here but the man is a through and through kiwi. the man didnt pick up a rugby ball on australian soil (excluding versing australian teams) until 2008, the same year he debuted for the wallabies.
sonny bill has at least lived and plied his trade in australia for more than a year. if he was to come here it would be on the back of spending the majority of his teens here. at least he has memories of an aussie lifestyle.
just saying he could, in theory, have an emotional link to the country. i doubt kepu saw anything more than an opportunity here.
even the most through and through tah supporter would have to agree.
June 8th 2009 @ 9:26pm
circus said | June 8th 2009 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
Nick
Des Connor? Steve Devine?
June 8th 2009 @ 11:22pm
Dan said | June 8th 2009 @ 11:22pm | Report comment
Hemjay,
“Still its his choice and wouldn’t it be classic of he chooses Australia over NZ then the ABs win the world cup how would that make him feel the League and Union world cups without his over inflated ego lol,”
Inflated ego? Have you been reading the Telegraph again? In every interview I’ve seen with Sonny Bill of late I can see not a single shred of arrogance. All he ever said in the lead up to this game was that he was excited about playing against all the big names and that he knew he needed to improve a hell of a lot… It’s only the like the of the Tele, with their persistent use of the acronym $BW, who make him out to be the new Anthony Mundine (and anyone with half a brain knows that Mundine is an act anyway – boxing needs people to hate to draw a crowd). Sonny is a talented athlete by any measure. That he hasn’t become a superstar after shifting to an unnatural position in a different code after one season is not evidence of anything other than his being human. Lets give the kid a break.