It’s a very common phrase in sport – “no player is bigger than the game”. It’s a phrase that’s usually painful to hear, because most of the time it’s being said by annoying, moralising tossers. And the most aggravating thing is that it’s true.
No player is bigger than the game. And believe it or not, that includes Sonny Bill Williams.
Now let me be perfectly clear: I am not saying SBW is not a great, even extraordinary player.
In the grand final he showed how good he is, and the demonstration was all the more striking for the fact that for quite a while he was having an absolute stinker, fumbling and stumbling his way around the park as if sick with nerves.
But sick with nerves he was not – Sonny Bill knows how good he is, and in the midst of what seemed destined to be quite a mediocre display from the hotshot, he suddenly unleashed upon the Sea Eagles, slipping that golden right arm of his through a tackle to offload for a spectacular long-range try, and then, with the premiership still in the balance, ripping through the defence like a sabre through silk to take the Roosters out of the red zone and into position for the sealer.
He didn’t have his best game, but as champions tend to do, he still managed to bend events to his will.
But even so. Williams is not superhuman. He is not the Bradman of rugby league, or of rugby union.
He is not walking in rarefied air high above the plane of mere mortals.
He’s not the best player ever, and it’s debatable that he’s even the best player right now.
As good as he is, the likes of Inglis, Slater, Smith, Cronk, Thurston, Cherry-Evans etc. are hardly choking on his dust.
If I say Sonny Bill Williams is overrated, it’s not because he suffers any great shortcomings in his game: it is because there’s been no player in history who’s been as good as sections of the media seem to think SBW is.
There are times when the rugby league press resembles a gaggle of hyperventilating fourteen-year-olds at a One Direction concert more than a posse of hard-headed journalists.
More importantly than his playing abilities, though, Sonny Bill is not carrying rugby league upon his shoulders, and if he goes, the game will not crash down Humpty Dumpty style, beyond reconstruction.
He is still just one player – his absence cannot kill the game. Or to put it another way, if the game were to die after he left, his presence couldn’t have saved it. Any sport that relies on an individual celebrity to keep it aloft is a dead man walking already.
League is a tough customer. It’s cockroach-like, both in its ability to withstand trauma, and the IQ of many of its most prominent commentators.
Great players – dare I say, better than SBW – have come and gone throughout its history without the game taking a fatal fall.
Scandals have beset it, criminal acts have besmirched it, harsh economic realities have assaulted it, but still it stands, and still it is fiercely beloved by the legions who adore its artful brutality and its intoxicating tribalism.
And though those legions all have their favourite players, none of them will give up on league just because one man isn’t on the field anymore. After all, for every superstar who leaves, there’s another one rising.
It’s crucial that the suits keep this in mind: Williams should be offered what he’s worth, and he’s worth a lot; but no more.
What will really cause disillusionment in the league world will be the sight of other players ending up short-changed for the sake of propping up the swollen edifice of an anointed figurehead, especially when that figurehead takes the cash and skips out after a year anyway.
And what if he doesn’t?
What if the money really does buy his everlasting loyalty to the code he’s already quit once?
In a few years Sonny Bill will retire anyway.
There’ll have to be a new Chosen One who is supposedly the key to keeping the code alive.
And he will need to be showered with even more riches as he threatens to leave if not treated like the combination of Clive Churchill and Jesus Christ that the Daily Telegraph told him he was. And there will be another. And another.
Already it’s become obvious to any half-brained player manager that the way to pump up the price is to declare you’re going to union or the AFL – the more the NRL begs Williams to stay, the more effective that strategy becomes, and the more it will be used, until league really does collapse, under either an avalanche of cross-code defections, or a landslide of idiotically lavish contracts.
If Sonny Bill Williams stays a leaguie, he will do spectacular things, and thrill the crowds.
If he goes back to the All Blacks, he will do spectacular things, and thrill the crowds.
And in the code that missed out, other brilliant players will do spectacular things, and thrill the crowds, who will cheer on their teams and clasp stars to their bosoms as ever they did.
And a new superstar will arise, and he will bestride the sport like a colossus, and with any luck, administrators on all sides will remember that, just like the great SBW, this new kid on the block is just a footballer, and there never was a game of football played with just one man on the field.
Ra
Guest
Never mind Russell, have a jelly bean, get rid of those grapes because your language tastes a bit sour
Levi
Guest
"The truth is he believes he is too good for everything". Like, I'm sure you positively know that... Good grief!
Levi
Guest
Spot on! If he left the league for Union he'd cop criticism, yet if he stays he cops it too. There are just some people out there who will always seek outrage at whatever he does. It's unfortunate that the Tall Poppy Syndrome is alive and kicking in this country. Never seen anything like it.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
No judgements. I think we are forgetting, some of us, that its simply a case of: the guy wants to play rugby league, and him being good for the game is a bonus. whatever he is getting out of it, good on him, doesn't faze me, thats his business. At the end of the day he is doing on the field what others are doing. Playing rugby league.
Ra
Guest
hey Tony bro, just seen your reply. I didn't think the Aussie would make the finals in the 7s which means they are really building. I thought a couple of those boys wouldn't be out of place on the side of the Wallabies pack, big, fit and powerful. One of them has the build of Warea-Hargreaves, a big sucker. We should invite you to one of our spiritual waananga. We would put all your uni theology to the test and then some. You might find it fun. If you get too serious you have to get up and sing a song, and if you are not serious enough, you will still have to get up and sing. If you learn something you will have to sing about and if you don't learn any, that's right, another song, but they must be related to the learning. You sound like a churchy boy so you'll be in fine voice lol
russell johnson
Guest
What a ridiculous statement, If you bag him your just jealous! I'm afraid as you'll see from my other post whatever bagging he gets its well earned. I now wish he had chosen to go to yawnion and stayed there. The truth is he believes he is too good for everything! I'll pick this cos I want to win that and I want that and that's mine, what is he two years old?
russell johnson
Guest
I took to defending him when he chose RL because I believe RL made him and he was made for RL. But now I believe he has not chosen RL or boxing or kick and clap! He has chosen the path to self aggrandisement , and the glory of me. Not simply a hero with clay feet which so often happens but a hero with a clay soul and no amount of posing for the ancestors can change that!!!!!
ross
Guest
ha ha ha he signed for the Roosters for a 1/3 that the NZRU offered him why his loyalty to Uncle Nick Politis enough said as Uncle Nick has known him and his family since he was 17 and has always kept in touch with SBW SO you dont know the connection obviously.
ross
Guest
anyone who bags SBW is only jealous cause they are useless nevilles enough said - Full marks to Uncle Nick Politis who should run all sport in Australia as this guy is a genious.
DMW
Guest
Thanks for your comment but you've based your opinion on what has happened in the past and what might be in the future. All that matters is the here and now and is what I said. Given the actions of both codes today, SBW holds all the cards and is bigger than both games today.
Tony S
Guest
Great to get your comment. Just some extra knowledge for you. As I have a degree from Uni in Religions of the World our studies showed that Israel had 7 tribes, no lost ones. Sorry to say that Polynesians have no connection to Israel :-( . Now, The Moon spirituality that tells you that you all came from the stars sounds great. That means that Polynesians are a bit like " ET "...lol. :-) Kidding !!! The only stars that will be around SBW is when he gets hammered by the Aussie forwards when we win the World Cup. SBW will be seeing stars. SBW is no Jesus, he's too young. Besides he has not been crucified yet. That will happen when the Aussies stop him dead in his tracks and he gets smashed in those Aussie tackles....lol :-) I'm not a great Rugby fan but the 7"s should be a great event. Now that's a game the Kiwis seem to win all the time. Good luck. I still think you have a great culture, a passionate love of your sport, you love your country, and you can't wait for the start of the World Cup, and also the start of the NRL season next year. Prediction for 2014..The Top 4 will be the same as this year. The other teams to make the 8 will be The Cowboys, Bulldogs, Broncos, and Newcastle. See if I'm correct. Enjoy the weekend..:-)
Ra
Guest
you forgot Pud n gravy to go with the Pomes pea n pie, Tony and yeah, I grew up being preached to that we Polynesians are remnants of the lost tribe of Israel, in Maori spirituality we came from the stars, 2000 years ago the ancestors of our people arrived at Rotumah near Fiji migrating from Asia. Some young fella was being born in a stable around that time, so if we want to call SBW the Third Coming, then we will. We don't really care about his beliefs lol. Anyway, big day on the GC tomorrow at Rugby 7s, Kenya wont be easy beats for Aussie, and Samoa never lie down for the Kiwis Its gonna be good.
A1
Guest
Strange comment seeming as most the press has been damning of SBW rather than praising him.
Jean Smith
Guest
There is no guarantee SBW is signing with the Chiefs, moe likely the Roosters because he wants to play for Australia as well. It seems to me you either have had enough of hearing about SBW so you are feeling put off about it. I do feel sorry for Tohu Harris , he would have had his chance to play until SBW decided he wanted to play after all for Australia so it seems to me he gets more favor over anyone else and it seems like SBW gets wat he wants.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
yes Ben I agree. good article I see the game of rugby league being what we see on the field. And yet people make it like a hobby to talk about rugby league *and* whats going on off the paddock - as IF that is a game in of itself! I find it all incredulous that we expend so much mental energy with the game off the field as we do on it. And of course no where is this more perfectly highlighted than with Sonny Bill. I blame the media for driving up the storm naturally. They have taken it too far - much like the media did with someone like Princess Dianna. I am thankful in those more extreme (beyond SBW) cases, in europe they have/or are bringing in laws to stop that. Actually don't quote me on that, it could be America. I am loath to say that I don't care about SBW - because he's been thrust into my face - but at the same time, the next time a player like this comes along and much is surrounding him, I wish the media would restrain itself (haha, won't hold my breath). And its a concern not just for us, but for the player too. They do blow him up like you say. Yet I read a report in the s/morning herald that his stats were down on where he used to be - no doubt they were writing back at the news ltd press. And so I thought to myself on that issue - gee, unintentionally they have painted him out to be bad; not the herald who thankfully just reported the facts, but the the combination of the two - again not the Heralds' doing because they always seem to bring in the facts. The other lot dont let the facts get in the way of a good story. Same with his 1st game back and they had him commentating his own game. I have never whitnessed something so awkward in my life. Not SBW's character, no, it wasn't him, but I wondered why they had to put him in that position. Its all striking me as a bit odd now, and I bet everyone is a little confused. He's been playing this year, we've all formed judgements on him, and we've all come a bit confused about how to disentangle and unravel the fact from fiction, and the character-judgement we have been forced into. Me, I just see a guy who is playing football, and I enjoy watching him - and others for that matter - play. Personally I have always liked him as a player and don't understand what all the angst is against him. Yeh, if I were on a 200k contract with half of it being fleeced by the govt, whatever, I'd be thinking twice too. On the one hand people want him to be this super integrity bloke - but on the other they'd prefer (or have been hoodwinked) into believing that HIS integrity and character has precedence above everything else - even his own sufferring. They forced a standard upon him that NO ONE should be expected to meet. The old line of "a contract means nothing now" is a tired one, because thats another thing they leveled at him. Yet put anyone in that position at their own work and see how they feel. Then when he comes back in, the rugby league world was made to look small, insecure, weak and ungrateful. After all: is SBW just yet another player who wants to play league? He's simply that and nothing more. Its like the sport had a hissy fit. Even so, hissy fit or not, this entire issue should have been about rugby league - it should have only ever been portrayed as accurately as possible. Alas, a luxury we don't have. It was something specifically to do with the bulldogs - who mind you, settled their business with SBW a long time ago, and the entire issue should never have been forced into the greater Rugby League-sphere, to inflict torment on the good graces of the game. As to what should have been, I liken this all to one such as Wayne Rooney leaving Everton for Manchester United. Sure, the fans were very upset, he was labelled many of the things SBW was labelled - mercenary, turncloak, backstabber, ect. He did it in secret almost, not telling anyone until he had to. It hit the Everton Club like a smack in the face. BUT: at no time did it ever spill over and become a problem for football in the UK to the extent it ever did for SBW in Rugby League. It never meant: football is broken. And thats because, my friends, Rugby League is an immature sport in this regard. And you know why that would be? I truly believe there is a section out there forcing this limiting belief upon us. As a sport, we should have had the maturity to say - "Yep, that'll happen." Yet every day, on every show, all the talking heads (and even the faceless people behind the scenes one may think) were inflicting this flabbergasting (and at times excruciating) attitude upon us. Who would have thought the world went beyond the bulldogs. I know the guy ran out on his club. He inked the contract, and he said he made a mistake. At these times, you can spare a thought for guys like Mark Bosnich - an Australian and world class goal keeper held against his will at Manchester United and not allowed to play in the main team, even though he was good enough. His job was to exist at Manchester United so he could not be used against Manchester United. I am simplifying circumstances here - but the argument and honesty of the comment remains the same. So ask yourself which one is better? Walking out, or remaining a prisoner. Ask yourself, come Monday, and it were your job this happened to. Would you not like the luxury to have the choice? You may even think of it as a 'right'. I know I do. So when he came back to play in the NRL, and all the old issues were dragged up, I cringed. But thats the mentality of the sport forced upon you by some. Thats all changing now - the sport has grown up a fair bit by this. When I look at SBW, I see a player, playing rugby league. No matter the unfairness thrust his way - you may as well admit it, he committed no crime, he's just gone out and played football. So why is everyone expecting different from him? The World Cup is in a few weeks, SBW is playing in it, its shaping up to be one of the best World Cups ever. And people are letting issues like this prevent them from fully focusing on and enjoying that impending spectacle.
marco
Guest
It must of been a good last minute offer by the roosters. Still don't like SBWs style of doing business. Wouldn't trust him or his management. He is not the best player but he has managed to get many to believe he is. But, just like a lot of Kiwis, many aussies are over it.
Brian
Guest
I'm glad someone finally said that sbw wouldn't necessarily just walk in to the all blacks starting team like he did for the nzrl team. He is an inside centre in union. The all blacks's inside centre is ma'a nonu. That guy is a BEAST and if he played league would CARVE UP. SBW doesn't mean as much to union as he does to league and I actually think there's a good chance he won't get a start in the all blacks so I'm just sick of people saying "oh he's decided to play for the all blacks in 2015 to win another World Cup." He has to make the team first so it's really not his choice
Damien
Roar Guru
Sheek, Comparing SBW with JOC is not even close to being fair. Are you comparing dealing in short term contracts with missing team buses, getting kicked off a flight, and other alcohol related incidences ?
Steve
Guest
Are you serious..Ian Schubert? If anyone is in Nicks pocket its him. Schubert won't see anything.
Tony S
Guest
Whatever you want to think it's ok by me. You are a Kiwi so you love SBW. The Japanese love Buddha, The Chinese love fried rice, The Poms love pies and peas, The Germans like a drink, The Middle Eastern countries like to dance in the street burning flags, and Aussies love our footy. If SBW is a muslim he can't be The Messiah, they don't believe in one. By the way, you guys make great food, and that Haka looks fantastic. Enjoy your weekend ;-)