All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry has advised Sonny Bill Williams to return to New Zealand this year to stake his claim for a World Cup spot.
Henry said he’d spoken at length to the gifted former Kiwis’ league international earlier this year as he mulls over his options while playing for French club Toulon. Williams comes off contract next month.
“I’ve talked to Sonny Bill Williams, and enjoyed talking to him. I thought he made a lot of sense,” Henry said on Friday.
“He’s got a personal decision to make, whether he comes back and plays provincial rugby then tries to get a Super rugby contract, then he’ll have to be judged on his ability and whether he’s good enough for the World Cup.
“That’s a major decision for him, and I’ve encouraged him to do that. Whether he’s in a position to do that, I’m not sure.”
Williams’ Toulon coach and mentor, former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, is returning as player-coach for Counties-Manukau later this year and that would be an undoubted carrot.
But the former NRL premiership-winning Bulldogs star would also take a pay cut if he turned his back on offers from Britain and France, and possibly NRL clubs, to return home to chase a Super 14 contract.
“I’ve spoken to Tana about him as well. Sonny Bill knows we’d be pleased if he came home and played at the levels below to see if he’s good enough to play at the levels above,” Henry said.
Henry felt Williams’ best position in rugby was “probably in the centres”.
Otherwise, Henry is resigned to having no other players return from overseas contracts to chase World Cup spots after Carl Hayman and Aaron Mauger both opted to remain in Europe.
Newcastle prop Hayman was high on the All Blacks coaches’ wish list and he appeared poised to return to New Zealand before confirming a lucrative deal with Toulon.
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAMYDNoe0S0 Like that?
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
Rooney's a good player, isn't he: tall and strong under the high ball... a bit like Latham. Shame he's going to such a bad English club next season.
JamesB
Guest
The AB's probably don't need him with such a huge choice of quality midfield players, but its what he brings mentally that will scare the living day lights out of the oppositiion. His reputation alone will make most of his opposite numbers whilt. Great strategic move by Henry.
allblackfan
Guest
Rooney is off to England; has his eyes set on an English jersey. And I understand the T14 will cap foreign players next year?!?
True Tah
Guest
Just watched the game between Toulon and Perpignan, Sonny Bill didnt do a hell of a lot, but was really impressed with Rooney, this bloke should be a target for the Rebels. Game was played at Marseille, packed house, excellent atmosphere, was a decent game as well. On a differant note, Toulon didnt seem to have too many Frenchmen - they had Wilkinson, Umaga, Rooney, Sonny Bill, Van Niekerk, Ledesma, Fernandez lobbe (played excellent), Contemponi, thats over 50% of the side who are not Frenchmen - is this common in Top 14, does the FFR want French rugby to be like the English premier league?
Ryan
Guest
Henry has the right idea with how to handle former League players, show what you can do in S14 and then we give you a crack at international rugby if you deserve it. ARU could learn from this policy.
kovana
Guest
Yes.. come with the SAMOANS to the RWC 2011 SBW! Oh man.,. i would scream like a fan-girl if HE did..
zero
Guest
Aaron Mauger announced his immediate retiremement from rugby, due to injuries, two weeks ago.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Don't fall for it Sonny Bill. Stay in Europe and go to the World Cup with Samoa. The NZRU are just using Henry to feign interest for the ABs when really they just want to use you as a draw card at a struggling ANZC province. They'll never take you to the WC. Don't do it.