The Chiefs square up against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Saturday in their second Super Rugby pre-season match without boxing champion Sonny Bill Williams.
Williams missed the Chiefs’ 36-0 win over the Rebels in Geelong as he prepared for his New Zealand heavyweight bout with American Clarence Tillman in Hamilton on Wednesday.
Williams dispatched Tillman with a technical knockout late in the opening round, but won’t line up for the Chiefs until their last warm-up match against the Hurricanes in Taupo on February 17.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was happy with last week’s result, but expects Saturday’s match to be a much tougher encounter.
“It will be a good measure of where we are at,” he said.
Chiefs’ co-captain Liam Messam, who has a calf injury, won’t play but is expected to be available for the opening Super Rugby round against the Highlanders in Hamilton on February 25.
google
Guest
NZ rugby and Money Bill are actually a good fit. The NZRU has been chasing dollar at the expense of rugby for a long time now, their only saving grace is that they are succesful on the pitch. When was the last time the All Blacks played an afternoon game in NZ? Their NPC final is relegated to Friday nights when the All Blacks are playing the next day, Imagine the French having the Top 14 Final on an obscure Friday night on the same weekend as the french national team have a game? riduculous the NZRU are destrying NZ rugby. their next step will be to have the ALL Blacks play in the NRL to spread the brand profile...
allblackfan
Guest
agreed.
kiwidave
Guest
He'd lose against Cameron or Tua (still) though, they don't bother fighting for insignificant titles that hardly anyone recognises.
AussieKiwi
Guest
Why is everyone so negative about SBW? Chiefs knew when they took him on of his boxing commitments. As far as I can see his only major mistake in his rugby career is in his choice of manager. I wouldn't claim he is the sharpest tool in the shed so he can be forgiven for that. Otherwise, he seems a decent young man who is a ridiculously gifted athlete. And as far as rugby is concerned, a huge crowd puller. Some of his play in 2011 was spectacular. If he does that for the Chiefs this year, there should be no complaints in my book, regardless of whether he returns to league in 2013. THis is a business for players and clubs alike.
sportym
Guest
SBW could have been a great all time NRL player. Now he can follow in Mundine's footsteps and be a joke. Shame really. In the proud history of the ABs the worst thing they did was to fast track this tool into the RWC squad. NZRU your better then this, dump this tool, all you are doing is giving him negotiation leverage for when he walks out.
Big C
Guest
It doesn't say anywhere that SBW has refused to play. Sounds like a coaching decision. He wouldn't he wouldn't have been training with the blokes. How is he to evaluate other players if SBW is out of sync when the moves are played. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The Grafter
Guest
Coach Dave Rennie is a good man, and a straight shooter. Knowing him personally I would be surprised if he has rolled out the red carpet for Williams, but I believe his 2012 NZRU contract allowed him to have 2 fights.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I have to say this is what makes pro sport a bit of a joke at times. Here is SBW fighting a "no nothing nobody" for a NZ title then he tops it off by not turning out for his club in rugby the following week. You might make some allowances if he had fought 12 rounds and it was a real contest and he was on the receiving end of some punishment but the fight was a joke. Just like all the fights that he has been matched up with by his "promoter' so far and I don't see much will change in his fight career. What a waste of money it must be for the Chiefs and how would you like to be the centre that is probably training his heart out filling in for SBW so the he can just walk straight back into the side when and wherever he wants. Some people have all the luck and sail through life seemly on a magic carpet. I suppose the next thing will be that SBW has sprained his index finger flicking through the money that he has acquired and because of that he will be out for the next three months LOL. I have to say I'm actually just a tad over SBW and somehow I have come to the same thought that Snobby has, the Rabbitoes need you young man.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
To be able to negotiate a fight into your contract just 2 weeks from the start of the season is a joke Just shows how desperate the Chiefs must have been to sign him At least he barely had a hand laid on him and was over in 2 mins. Cant believe that fight was for the NZ championship - not particularly competitive boxing in NZ apparently if a part timer can win it so easily
Snobby Deans
Guest
Way to be a team player, SBW. Do us all a favour and go back to the NRL
Peter of Europe
Guest
The sooner rugby is rid of this joke the better.