By saying nothing, Sydney Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams gave the clearest indication his time in the NRL may be coming to an end.
Maintaining his silence ahead of Sunday’s grand final against Manly, Williams even skipped the team’s fan day celebrations which followed Thursday’s grand final lunch.
Roosters management insisted it was because of a pre-arranged physio’s appointment, with the dual international having already compromised his schedule to attend the official lunch.
There is speculation he has a calf complaint he has carried for some weeks, but coach Trent Robinson said he was a certainty to play on Sunday.
As he has done all year, Williams is calling the shots, having informed Roosters officials he was not keen to talk ahead of the decider.
Efforts by the Roosters, the NRL, even the Nine Network – who also employ Williams – to get him to speak, have fallen on deaf ears.
Perhaps he is just trying to focus on the game, but he may also be wanting to avoid the inevitable question – will he be sticking around in the NRL in 2014?
With each passing day of silence, his return to rugby union seems more likely.
Williams has insisted when he has spoken earlier in the year that he would weigh up all his options when the season is over.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he has not and will not pressure Williams to make a call.
Williams will do it when he is ready, as he has done all season.
trev
Guest
??????????? "Loves the attention that Rugby League delivers which Rugby Union simply does not deliver" Huh - the attention of playing for the All Blacks (especially in games like the one against South Africa) would be far greater than an NRL grand final or League World Cup, not to mention the attention of playing 7s at the Olympics or a Rugby Union World Cup. Worldwide NRL is slightly less well known than Super XV and league tests are way down on union tests
trev
Guest
??????????? "Loves the attention that Rugby League delivers which Rugby Union simply does not deliver" Huh - the attention of playing for the All Blacks (especially in games like the one against South Africa) would be far greater than an NRL grand final or League World Cup, not to mention the attention of playing 7s at the Olympics or a Rugby Union World Cup. Worldwide NRL is slightly less well known than Super XV and league tests are way down on union tests
kate
Guest
Not another $BW article pls.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
On the one hand I think he will go even though he looks really happy at the Roosters. Winning the GF will cement this further I think. In keeping with what he's been doing, that may happen - because an NRL season is long, and he may wish for another hill to climb. On the other hand, he had to kind of leave NZ last time when he wasn't ready. So maybe there's a chance he is more willing to stay put this time. Conversely (ha!), the lure of the world cup - which only goes for a month - and the Olympics - probably just for the experience may prove to great. And finally, in the opposite of the original thought above, a reverse effect: leaving before it was time last time may in fact sway him to go back and finish what he started. Things point to the fact that he may have unfinished goals in NZ Rugby. His goal there was always the All Blacks, he didn't mind which club he played for. As he gets older he may want to slow the moving around down, I dont pretend to know what he's thinking, and either way he will still be alright in my mind, but I think he will move on. I hope thats not right.
cowelly
Guest
Sonny Bill is an enigma, always has been. One could think he loves the attention that Rugby League delivers which Rugby Union simply does not deliver, but he might also like his personal space. To be honest, I think he loves Sydney. I think it's for him and also promotes his boxing career. He'll be better off living in Sydney. However, it's his god-given obligation to do what's best for New Zealand, and that would be to represent the All-Blacks. I personally think he should consider playing in the RL world cup. Rugby League and Rugby Union can do all they want, promote the most money they can, but I personally think lifestyle and what's best for his sporting career will determine where he goes.
Haz
Guest
Doesn't anyone believe Sonny Bill when he says he's going to wait until after the Grand Final to make a decision? I actually think the result of the game will have a massive impact on whether he re-signs or moves on to another challenge. If he wins, I reckon he'll leave. He's come in as a professional athlete, won the minor and major premierships in one season, so there won't be any more challenges left for him in rugby league, and he'll go on to the rugby world cup. But the pain of losing might just force the perfectionist in him to go around for another year. He'll know he has unfinished business, and won't be satisfied until he's won a premiership.