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How can Sonny Bill Williams go back to rugby union after what he experienced last weekend?
This is a guy who lives for the challenge; who thrives on pushing himself to the limit.
How on earth can the great man ever again get excited standing out wide in the backs with the ‘pretty boys’ waiting for the ball to come to him?
Did you get the feeling that Sonny Bill was having second thoughts after the Kiwis won 20-18 at Wembley on Saturday following that stunning try from Shaun Johnson with 20 seconds remaining, capping a game many have described as the best ever.
He now gets his chance to play in the Rugby League World Cup final against Australia and the opportunity to become the first cross-code world champion.
His comments after the game were not something you would likely hear from someone who wanted to downgrade his challenges.
“Oh man, it was such an intense game,” he said. “That is the toughest game I have ever played in.
“To win competitions you need a bit of luck and some talent, I think we have some talent on our bus.
“I don’t think I’ve felt like that before on a footy field. I got some but I gave some too as well, as you can see from the scars on my face and my body. It was an awesome game, very physical, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”
“I don’t think I have felt like that before on a footy field. I got through a lot of work out there and held my own. That is what I enjoy about footy. I am a pretty competitive guy and I definitely won’t take a backward step.
“It is such a special thing to be able to come over here and enjoy the time with the brothers and put that Kiwi jersey on. I think, for myself, I definitely fell back in love with rugby league this year.”
Memo to SBW: The All Blacks just became the first international side in the professional era to go through a calendar year unbeaten. They do not need you, Sonny Bill, and you will be more of a chance of getting a chill in the backs than finding a new challenge.
Talk about a challenge, here is a big one.
England’s champion forward Sam Burgess put it to SBW on the weekend like no other footballer, either code, ever has.
Big Sam has put his hand up (probably not an ideal choice of words given his history) to say that he is the best forward in the world and the match-up was breathtaking.
Sonny Bill was the Kiwis’ stand out player against England and if not for his last minute double hit-ups his team would not have won. But, as good a performance as it was, he was rivalled by Sam Burgess.
Big Sam was the guy who knocked Sonny Bill backwards in his first game back in the NRL this year in Round 1 and again finished on top of him.
The two champion forwards will meet again in Round 1 in 2014 when the Rabbitohs take on the Roosters.
If Sonny Bill really wants to challenge himself, then getting on top of Sam Burgess in an international rep game would be the ultimate.
It is unfinished business and I will leave you with a final quote from the great SBW after he went head to against Sam Burgess on the weekend.
”That is why I am here, because I want to play against the best”
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