The imposing figure of Sonny Bill Williams is likely to pop up in a new position in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup match against Japan on Friday, but just where is a closely guarded secret.
The 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 110kg Williams has played almost all his rugby at inside centre since leaving French club Toulon last year to return to New Zealand with a World Cup berth in mind.
He was primarily a centre for Toulon but with a handful of games on the wing and in the backrow after previously being a standout backrower in Australia’s National Rugby League competition.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said on Thursday Williams had played well in the 41-10 win over Tonga last week and would get another opportunity off the bench against Japan, possibly in another position.
“He’s played all his rugby this year virtually at 12, inside centre, and we might try and play him elsewhere … you’ll have to wait and see,” he said.
“I don’t want to make any rash promises here because he’s a quality footballer, he creates opportunities, he had a big work rate last week and played well.
“The two centres we’ve got, (Ma’a) Nonu and (Conrad) Smith, have played a lot of rugby together and played very well for the All Blacks and created a high standard for the All Blacks.
“He might break in there or he might get an opportunity elsewhere. We’re just looking at that situation.”
Williams’ first game for the All Blacks was at outside centre, partnering Nonu, against England at Twickenham last November, and he came off the bench to replace Smith in the 13 jersey against South Africa in Wellington in July.
His other six Tests for the All Blacks have all been at inside centre.
WQ
Guest
Mungehead, SBW makes an imediate impact once he came on at half time including scoring a couple of tries and setting up Nonu for a try. Now thats what I'm TALKIING ABOUT!!!!
Mungehead
Guest
Half-time in the All Blacks/Japan game, and Nonu's distribution skills are pure magic. That's what I'm talking about.
Mungehead
Guest
I hear what you're saying jokerman, and I do think SBW has talent. I just thought during the game that it was the wrong option in each case. But as we agree, the defence was excellent. I'm not saying that it would have been a try in either case if he had passed it, but I thought both times that passing was the best option and I felt he was overconfident not to.
bokka
Guest
can anyone kick as long as Francois Steyn?
Johnno
Guest
SBW wasted at in outside backs SBW can not kick as long or as good as Frans Steyn.
oneteam
Guest
Amazes me how we have articles about this choker. As long as he is in the team, the Kiwis will choke.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Do it do it do it. Anywhere just let him start and keep him there. He's the Wallabies best chance should they make it that far!
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Left Right Out?
jokerman
Guest
Mungehead, great Tonga defence that stopped Sonny. He took to the line, Nono also does that sometimes. Just because he didn't make it, doesn't mean he made a poor decision. Some have this ideal that SBW, and others have to play this perfect, free of flaws rugby...It's just judgement. Lomu in his hay day was always bagged in NZ by the media and public..."Not enough skills" Work rate not good enough" "No good under the high ball".....truth was he was a devastating player. Many didn’t like Lomu because he was 6’5, 118kg and could run fast as…."Not fair!" seems to be the unconscious mind set.
andy shearer
Guest
number 8? seems that NZ are feeling the injury pain the most in the backrow.... and seems a waste for the kiwi's not to have sbw on the team somewhere.
jokerman
Guest
SBW was struggling to make the 22. He had one game against Tonga, and you see the magic, he took the opportunity. Just for the spectacle I am happy that he is in the mix. He can turn a game around, he is fairly unknown on this level, he has Nonu and Smith in his way, who else could break that partnership? 15-15 all, 20 to go at the World cup final, I would like SBW to be there. SBW comes on 50 min to go, Nonu goes to the wing.....of course that can vary with how the game is going.... Why the fuss? If you individually played a game like that, would'nt you like to be considered?
Johnno
Guest
SBW will be awful on the wing, can't kick, like frans stein jus took at the contribution he makes when in form as on the weekend his deep boot helped south africa immensely on the weekend. SBW can not kick like Frans Steyn. SBW postioning wil be terrible he will be lost all over the place when kicks are sent to him, he will be terrible under the high ball, his defensive lines and reading of defensive lines on the wing will be terrible, he has not got enough acceleration, shane williams, brian habana , JOC and drew mitchll will burn ohm for speed, same with curtly Beale. ALL blacks will struggle with SBW on wing vers the good teams.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ok, this change can only mean one thing: WING. Now wherever you put SBW he will create tries, so if they don't want to break up Nonu/Smith then why not. But I think it would be better to be brave and send Smith to the bench!
mattamkII
Guest
They'll try in something silly to rest blokes. He runs good fullback lines to be fair. Then when it gets to the business end he play Left-Right-Out-Half
Mungehead
Guest
Nonu is a second-five because of his precise passing game, not because of his ability to break the line. Whoever replaces him needs to be just as spot-on with the passes and to learn to be just as automatic at making them the first option. SBW is great at misdirection with his passes and at unloading in the tackle, but I'm not convinced that either is a second-five's most important priority. In the AB/Tonga game there were two instances where SBW got the ball about 10 metres out and ran full tilt for the line, but in each case great Tongan defence held him back. I believe Nonu would have passed on each occasion, and whatever happened from there that would still objectively have been the best play. Does SBW have enough selflessness to take that option early, when he needs to?
Johnno
Guest
Water boy, ma nonu did in tri nations south africa leg, or orange boy or how about Japanese rugby for dollar bill $$$.
HoHepa
Guest
Whoa up whats going on, nothing against S/B but I was scratching my head when he was chosen for the World Cup Team, now the three wise men are thinking of moving him around in the Team. This is the "WORLD CUP" the one we need to have, best specialist player for the specialist positions, come on guys lets not blow it
Bob
Guest
What about No. 10? He's got a great pass on him and he's pretty quick. Judging by the kick he did to Toeava against Tonga his kicking is not too bad either. Would be pretty hard to attack therough the outside channel with him standing there. Could not be that much worse than Slade or Weepu.
kiwidave
Guest
Remembering the last world cup I too hope it isn't true, but I fear that it is.
Johnno
Guest
Front row.