Another tug-of-war between rugby league and rugby union is developing for the services of dual international Sonny Bill Williams. Not for his on-field prowess, but for his off-field impact.
Williams’ former Super Rugby-winning teammates the Chiefs are hankering to have the sought-after code-hopper at Allianz Stadium for Friday night’s clash with the NSW Waratahs.
But the New Zealand rugby league team is also expecting the injured superstar in the sheds at the same time when the Kiwis tackle Australia in a one-off Test in Canberra.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, confident of luring the 27-year-back across the Tasman, was assuming Williams would be supporting his side on Friday night after SBW made a bee-line to his old teammates when they arrived in Sydney on Thursday night.
“We were only here for about 30 minutes and we caught up with Sonny,” Rennie said on Thursday.
“But the Kiwis are pretty keen to drag him down to Canberra just to have him on the sideline to support there.
“So I’m not sure what he’ll end up doing.”
Long-term, Rennie has a much clearer idea where Williams will end up after his stint with the Sydney Roosters.
“I reckon there’s a good show of getting him back in 2015 – World Cup year,” Rennie said.
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then and, who knows? He may love his return to rugby league and it might be hard to prise him out.
“But he’s always up for challenges, Sonny, so a World Cup would be a good opportunity to try and lure him back.
“And if he certainly comes back to rugby, he’d definitely come back to the Chiefs, so we’re keen to see that happen.
“He was a massive part of our group last year. He loves the boys, so it was good having him around.”
With no Williams on the park against the Waratahs this year, Rennie planned to at least have his ex-charge deliver a motivational pre-match pep talk to the Chiefs following their disappointing home loss to the Queensland Reds.
Rennie is also hoping Richard Kahui will have a Williams-type influence on the match after moving the classy All Black from outside to inside centre this week.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
“Richard’s made a bucketload of line breaks in the last two weeks. He reckons he’s made more line breaks in the last two weeks than he has in his whole career.
“That’s probably not that accurate, but he’s been a real handful.
nova
Guest
Granted.....that's what I meant about the professional era. Loyalty is not the first consideration so all the hoo haa about Sonny not being loyal and taking one year contracts is irrelevant. A player will look after his family and his future first. If that happens to coincide with being able to play for the team he's passionate about, then that's a bonus IMO.
soapit
Guest
sbw was a forward who could offload when he came over. folau is a genuine cente in league and has all the conventional skills already. just needs to learn the subtleties which will take time having said that sbw certainly has perfected his passing game which is making him a better player in league than he was before he left, and i doubt it would take him much longer than one game to get back in the swing of it in rugby now he's done the hard yards in france
derrick
Guest
At least a season?! Mate, he's been lost to league for 5 years and is already after a handful of games one of the best players in the NRL...and the NRL has changed more in those 5 years than rugby will in 2 years when SBW returns. Its simple: if SBW proves himself throughout 2015 and earns a spot for the RWC then good on him and good on NZ for looking beyond the out-dated concept of who does & doesn't deserve to play for their country based upon this so-called issue of loyalty. SBW's NZ loyalty is beyond doubt. Unless he is found to be a North Korean spy i don't see why he doesn't deserve it if he has earned it...It's called meritocracy - that's what makes any organisation prosper.
Matt
Guest
I don't know if the NZRU would offer SBW a 1 year contract in 2015, as in that year they'll hold some strong cards of their own. If any player wants to play in the World Cup then I imagine they'll try to sign them on for 2 years in 2015 and not budge. The same will go for Kahui etc. For SBW the NZRU can offer of the WC, then the Olympic games in 7's, plus the Chiefs. That's a tidy package full of challenges and huge international profile, something I'm sure any sports person would love a crack at. Of course I doubt they'll guarantee anything and I'd be surprised to see him make the Olympics, but it's still a big fat carrot. If it's a capitalist system then the NZRU should realise that in 2015 they have a very attractive product that many players will want!
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I love some of the comments saying that SBW needs more time to hone his skills than if he was to come back in 2015 to get into the WC. Yet the same people are saying that Falou has a chance of making it to Wallabies to contest against the Lions. Gee you can't have it both ways roarers, SBW was, and I would think all of you would agree a better ball handler/player etc than Falou when he first came over and he took over two years to get to the ABs. Yet here some of you are saying that Falou could make it to the Wallabies with far less experience, And our esteemed leader Mr Deans is going down this path as well. What a joke. Thats why we are headless in the selection and coaching department. See when you stack it up how silly it all looks.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I see what you mean nova but I don't think the majority of players are disloyal because they change clubs. Mitchell, Kahui, Nanai etc all leaving their teams at th end of the season are good, honest guys but they just had a good offer overseas and decided to take it. Rugby player is still their passion but it's also their job. Same as clubs are now their employer rather than their club/ family like they were 20 years ago.
WQ
Guest
I suppose that depends on how important they believe he is to their set up? Traditionally the All Black head honchos would position themselves so as to not have to allow this type of contract. They have normally made getting an All Black Jersey hard to do so as to create value beyond just finances, a tactic that has held players in New Zealand for much less than they could have achieved else where. SBW if he decides he wants to return to Union may just test that process somewhat?
nova
Guest
Loyalty went out the window when the professional era arrived. It is money that has made a mockery of what was long considered a game played with the heart and soul of a player. There are still some left in the code like the great Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter but even they are being paid enough to live a comfortable lifestyle and still be able to play the sport they love. It's all about winning and if you're that good and then some, then it's obvious you will be welcomed back with open arms. As for being injured and shown the door? I doubt the NZRFU had that in mind after all the effort and work put into Kahui's rehabilitation.
kingplaymaker
Guest
Yes but whatever the rights and wrongs, it's definitely not in the NZRU's interest to have SBW dictating one year contracts to them.
Simon Levingston
Guest
I agree Mania, capitalism is a two edged sword with no job security. It is hypocritical of the officials to bang on about loyalty and obligations, when they are making a good living out of the game with no risk of injury and no public critique on weekly performances.
mania
Guest
agree WQ. KPM hypocrisy much?
WQ
Guest
KPM, i have to disagree, the clubs are only the losers for the very top echelon of players. Clubs hand out 1 year contracts all the time, why is it ok for the clubs to do it without anybody moaning at all? However when a player demands it, all of a sudden the club is being disadvantaged. The clubs can't have it both ways! I might repeat however that only the very best players in the world should walk this path as it is a high risk process for the player.
mania
Guest
you cant have it both ways KPM - clubs give out more 1 year contracts than there are players who can demand it. this is a pro era, any club that cannot adapt to a player slotting in and out doesnt deserve to survive. more fans follow individuals than a club.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Often it's said that the 1 year contracts are as bad potentially for the player as the club, but actually I don't think that's the case. I think it's good for a player to be able to move around if he wants like SBW, although there is some risk to his market value, but much worse for the union who end up only having a player for a year at a time and not being able to build a team around him. I think in one year contracts unions are the losers.
Simon Levingston
Guest
Kombiutedriver, as soon as the game became professional it also became about the money too. It is all about contracts and what your manager can negotiate. The better player you are the more options you get in your contract, SBW is a great talent and the contract terms are in his favour. NZ rugby will have him back because he is so good.
mania
Guest
zackery WQ - i dont see the big deal that KPM is on about. these 1 year deals whilst give a bit more cash carries an equal risk. KPM you should be complaining when a fringe player is only signed to a 1 year deal as well then. if the clubs can do it why cant a player thats good enough demand it? get sick of people going on about loyalty and legacy BS. this is a business and players have such a short time to make money in this sport. folau is just as much a mercenary as SBW is, in fact more so when folau goes back to league next year.
WQ
Guest
Here Here mania, what you are in fact saying is that the 1 year contracts are just as big a risk to the player as they are annoying for the Club. My suggestion is that only the very best players in the world should walk this path and SBW is one of them!
mania
Guest
KPM and Sailosi - u cant eat loyalty. NZRFU had no issues dealing with khoder. khoder is not the devil. SBW is well within his rights to sign 1 year deals. if a team doesnt like it dont sign him. its capitalism at its purest. if SBW gets injured then you'll see how much loyalty rugby will have to him
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
True Sailosi, but I think Khoder Nasser has pushed a fashion of one-year deals that are not good for the unions that accept them. In the end, they either make a stand and demand two or three year deals, or more and more players will hop around for a year here and there, and arrive just for World Cup year. The result will be very bad for the team. I think instead of letting SBW determine the rules, they should start to make them themselves. I'm not suggesting long four year deals with no get-out clauses, but something more than a single year. And they have to be brave enough to lose him in order to make a stand.
Sailosi
Guest
On the other hand KPM, it means that the NZRU don't have to worry about paying for his services. It gives Aki and Ngatai the chance to develop and the Roosters are paying to keep him fit and by 2015 he still gets a full pre season and super rugby season with the Chiefs. Having said all that I don't think he'll return to rugby union. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.