There he was, the centrepiece of Channel Nine’s marketing for the 2013 NRL season. Shirt off, oiled up and an imposing, muscular figure in the TV shot.
Sonny William (‘Bill’) Williams, the 27-year-old Aucklander and new signing by the Sydney Roosters.
Both Channel Nine and the NRL, not to mention the Roosters, have invested a lot in the ex-Bulldogs, ex-Toulon, ex-Crusaders, ex-Chiefs, ex-Wild Knights player.
It’s hard not to see why; he generates enormous media and public interest, and his presence should lead to bigger attendances and ratings.
But what is often forgotten in a lot of the hoopla is that he is a very good rugby league player. Or he was back when he walked out on the Dogs in 2008…
The most important question is, will he still be after five years out of the sport? After little training and off-season preparation with his new teammates?
That is the million-dollar question, or what ever the cashed-up boys in Bondi are paying the wannabe pugilist.
Rugby league has changed a lot since 2008. The shoulder charge, Williams’ forte, has gone, and there have been several rule changes. The amount of wrestling has increased and the competition might be just that little bit fiercer and tougher. Williams won’t have an easy ride.
Working in his favour, in my view, is the trend in recent years is the similarity of rugby union and rugby league. The two games have become a lot more interwined with similar tactics and strategies.
Defences in rugby have become a lot better and more structured thanks to league’s influence. There is a lot more attacking second-man plays in rugby now, the bread and butter of modern league, and the variety of attacking kicks such as grubbers close to the line (see the Brumbies’ opening try on Saturday night) and banana kicks.
The two sports appear closer now than they were in 2008, which should help SBW, remembering too it was his sport of choice as a youth. But it will still take some time for him to adapt to the greater speed and intensity of the NRL.
There are more breaks and stoppages in union, less the trench-warfare style of attrition. How Williams’ body holds up, so fragile at the Bulldogs, will be interesting to see.
It might not be until the final rounds of the competition that we see him fully adapt back to the rigours of rugby league and appear comfortable with his new teammates and surroundings, to get used to the Roosters style of play and the different demands.
Williams will bring a lot of things to the NRL in 2013 – interest, ratings, media hype and more spotlight – but a premiership to the eastern suburbs won’t be one of them.
Follow John on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Oooh, lawyer. :)
JayBob
Guest
You mean all the guys that instantly represented the Wallabies after switching over? Lol. Just face it, it's a second rate game in Australia. When I hear of any established Union players to straight up walk into the Roos side I may change my opinion slightly. I can't believe all the comments on here from people who honestly believe Union players defend better! And they are using League WINGERS as their examples.. gold. Anyway I don't want to continue the code war, just thought that was hilarious.
JayBob
Guest
How is it that some fans still can't understand the difference between a) leaving a club for more money and b) leaving on a midnight plane to another country without telling any of your team mates so that you could escape your responsibilities in the most cowardly way possible, then later showing absolutely no remorse and claiming that you did it to help everyone other than yourself (also something about bus drivers lol) I usually don't bother commenting on SBW articles but I find it hard to believe some people cannot tell the difference between these situations. So it is really annoying when hearing "if you were offered more money" OR "clubs always leave on midnight planes without telling the players" ;)
Hornet
Roar Rookie
no, I mean when they sign hoffman mid season to cover for SBW who has gone missing/boxng/Ra raing. *suckers.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
*fail.
nayfo
Guest
hoffman ???? i think you mean luke o'donnell
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Never, I shall treasure it forever
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Ha! For the comic relief you provide High Shot, 250k is a steal. Now you can excuse yourself to empty the p*ss out of your pocket. :p
Pot Stirrer
Guest
???
Hornet
Roar Rookie
Hoffman is a better buy for the roosters.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well said eagleJack. Plenty of people end relationships, whether personal or professional and look back and think they could have handled things better. I'm a Dogs fan and have moved on. It was absolutely devastating at the time but with the benefit of hindsight was probably an indicator of a toxic environment at the club. In many ways Sonny-Bills midnight departure was the last straw and a catalyst for change within the club. The Bulldogs are in a much better place now than before he left. He made a difficult choice in life, he handled things poorly but he's also paid his dues. There's no need to keep bashing him for it. He was an awesome player and I reckon he will be again. I just don't know what the downside to having him back in the game is. Bagging someone because you don't think he'll make it through the season uninjured is ludicrous. Is there any player in the NRL that you'd fearlessly predict will make it through all 24 games ?
Greg
Guest
Who do you watch? Scotland? Check out Chiefs V Highlanders or Blues V Hurricanes this week and you will soon realize not all teams play negative rugby. And when they don't, you will see why millions love the game.
BEBE
Guest
I'm an SBW fan need if u think back to when he start play RU he was not good in it before he had his mark to do things right so way now when he comes back to NRL peole think he wil not do what he always do he will end up being the greates player like his grandfathers so plz don't be so little minded...SBW will close some peoles mouth when he plays the game ..reply straith?
The High Shot
Roar Pro
The Roar pays me 250k.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
I hope he goes well but I'm not going to feel any sympathy that he's on a "hiding to nothing".
The High Shot
Roar Pro
I agree, well said.
Benno
Guest
-- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Benno
Guest
I'm quite sure Sailor, Tuquiri and Tahu never successfully tackled anyone during their respective rugby careers. And to those that think SBW could have a successful career as a full time boxer your dreaming he is hopeless! At least his pal Mundine actually has some boxing talent (he did start in the sport as a 4 year old) though his skills are diminishing quickly SBW has no skill and very little ability. He is big and fit that's it. If he ever grew some balls and actually found the courage to stand in the ring with a real boxer like David Tua, Alex Leapai, Brad Pitt or even Danny Green I seriously doubt he would even survive the bout! He will spend a year or two in the NRL, score some tries sell a bunch of tickets and walk straight into a test jumper. A lot of people might be upset but he will be worth every penny to the NRL he will no doubt generate ten times what he is being paid. Sport is after all a business and businesses exist to make money. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Rod
Guest
Anyone who has a go about the tackling ability of ex league backs, have clearly forgotten about Joe Roffs pitiful attempt in tackling Brad Thorn when the crusaders played the brumbies . I guarantee Sailor. Lote or Tahu would have tackled him before he got over the try line
stillmatic1
Guest
so wrestling should be an important facet of the game then, high shot? i thought people wanted to see players playing with the ball, not hugging eachother incessantly during each tackle!? 5 tackles of wrestling then kick it to the other team to do the same thing, what a great plus this has over union!!!