Sonny Bill Williams is back and set to make an impact for the All Blacks in the looming big matches of the Rugby World Cup.
That’s the message from former NRL star Williams’ selection on the bench in a full-strength New Zealand team named to meet major pool A rival France – their nemesis of the 1999 and 2007 World Cups – at Eden Park on Saturday.
There were some raised eyebrows when the blockbusting Williams failed to make the match squad for the All Blacks’ Tri Nations series deciding loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane late last month.
The thinking was that he wasn’t versatile enough to fill a bench spot, having played all his rugby union at centre.
But coach Graham Henry clearly values his potential as a game-turner from the bench and gave him the chance to prove his utility value when he did well on the wing in the 83-7 pool win over Japan last Friday.
There’s no doubt the team chosen to play France is the one Henry thinks is his best available, with only injured No.8 star Kieran Read not considered.
Skipper Richie McCaw is back for his 100th Test, returning from injury along with five-eighth Dan Carter.
Rising star Israel Dagg secured the fullback role ahead of veteran Mils Miliaina who has so far failed to reach his best this season.
Piri Weepu was preferred in the often-contentious halfback role, ahead of Jimmy Cowan and Andy Ellis, and Adam Thomson bumped out Victor Vito at No.8 in Read’s absence.
Richard Kahui, usually a centre, has nailed down a wing spot after some impressive performances.
And Sam Whitelock will partner Brad Thorn at lock ahead of the far more experienced Ali Williams, who has failed to show real impact and goes to the bench with another lock, Anthony Boric.
Asked if this was his No.1 team, the cagey Henry said: “For this particular opposition, I think it’s the best team.”
Henry said it was difficult to tell the off-form Muliaina he wasn’t picked for France.
The pair have known each other since Muliaina played in the same Auckland secondary school while Henry was the principal.
“The selection is on form at this particular moment,” Henry said. “It’s difficult for Mils, he’s been a high quality player for a long time for the All Blacks.
“There was a lot of emotion involved in this decision. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go with your best team and we’ve gone with Israel.”
Henry swept aside talk of France picking a substandard team without some key players starting and usual halfback Morgan Parra at five-eighth.
“This French side will be a very difficult side to beat,” Henry said. “They’re a big side, very physical, got a very mature pack and got some outstanding, talented backs.
“We’ve got a lot of history with them in the World Cup, and there’s been a lot of pain for some people, and we don’t want to go through that pain again.”
McCaw, Carter and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock started in the 2007 quarter-final loss to France, while reserve forwards Andrew Hore and Ali Williams also played in that match in Cardiff.
New Zealand (15-1): Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
trakl
Guest
Yes, we're joking right! SBW is not even the best in his position in NZ, Super Rugby let alone international rugby (union).
Muzza
Guest
LOL. You have to think SBW is not the best fit for NZ. As an "outsider" (i.e. he did not have Kiwi union fans following his rise through provincial level) he has found it hard to get support, especially as there seem to be so many Bulldog fans in NZ who can`t get over the fact that he was getting contractually ripped off even while his mates abandoned ship. He seems much more appreciated overseas and can of course make more money, so fair enough if he bails. Good luck to him I say. It has been fun watching his rise even with the circus that surrounds him. I just hope he can show us what he is there to do: get his arms free in a two-man tackle, offload to Nonu/Smith who in turn draws the fullback and passes to Dagg/Kahui etc for umpteen tries per week.
Siva Samoa
Roar Pro
Your joking right? SBW is not even the best in his position in NZ, Super Rugby let alone International rugby.
trakl
Guest
No!
Ben S
Roar Guru
You must have accidentally logged in under a different name, kingplaymaker!
trakl
Guest
Sonny Bill Williams was selected for the French Top 14 "Dream Team" in his first full season playing rugby union for Toulon - alongside Yannick Jauzion, inferior in the last 10 years only to the great Brian O'Driscoll among European centres. The French players, critics and public appear to have little problem in acknowledging Williams' manifest brilliance - irrespective if he had the temerity once in a while actually to be tackled, or misplace the odd pass or take not quite the perfect option. I love watching him play and feel only that he's far too gifted not to be starting for New Zealand.
dc
Guest
SBW will soon enough make his debut proper on the international stage, and his swansong. Kind of bizarre really. I don't think all of this chopping and changing will establish himself as a great of any sort.. .. Unless he signs for the Auckland Blues and sticks with union. If he changes countries/codes again, i predict the masses will write him off...
Johnno
Guest
SBW will end up back in the NRL, englsh super league, a Euro rugby union comp, Japan Rugby,or Boxing, WWF or UFC. Simply can't see him staying in super 15 , doesn't motivate him enough.
bokka
Guest
haha, nah probably not. I hear David Kirk went alright though.
Muzza
Guest
mace22 - I was once a big fan of Byron K before he started playing like Justin Marshall, then started getting too cool for school (the porn star phase - but fair enuf, right?). Now, like you suggest, I also really appreciate what Marshall brought to the game... I don`t recall the last time New Zealand had a genuine world class (#1) half-back... maybe Marshall had a season where he had it over Joost and George. Nah, probably not.
mace22
Guest
right on Muzza half back is the only position we are weak in. Also about Brendon Leonard. I think nearly every team at the world cup has better half backs than the AB'S. Which I can't understand NZ has always had good half backs they mightn't have been the best in the world but they were up there. I never liked marshall but he's better than this lot.
Muzza
Guest
My concerns with the AB`s just now is halfback. Weepu is very balanced but can`t run unless it is a massive gap and then he gets run down too quick. Cowan is a slow passer and seems out of sorts. Ellis is an good but not at all great halfback - who also takes a step to get his pass away, i.e. he may be accurate and snappy with the pass but it takes him a half-step/second to release it. If only Brendon Leonard could have met his potential/avoided injury, he added so much zip to the game. I think SBW has what it takes to open the French up. His defense will be tested though if they are gamble him on the wing. Not such a big concern though. Here`s hoping Dagg also has a special game and brings some flair back to this World Cup. PS: I really hoped Hosea Gear could have made it... all he needed was 1-2 more games to get back to match fitness/form.
bokka
Guest
Solid. Thought maybe Hore to start, Mealamu and Weepu on for impact. Is Ellis really the no.2 half? Either way, throw Read into this mix later on and probably doesn't get much better.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Good team.