New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney insists superstar Sonny Bill Williams was never being considered for the rugby league Test against Australia.
A report on Tuesday claimed Williams planned to boycott the May 2 Test, still angry at being implicated in a sleeping pill and energy drink scandal on last year’s World Cup tour in England despite being cleared of any wrongdoing.
But Kearney said on Wednesday he and fellow selectors weren’t planning to pick the dual international anyway as they’re planning for the next World Cup in 2017 and Williams is going back to rugby union after this season.
Kearney said he had heard reports Williams was unavailable, but hadn’t heard from the player himself.
“From the selectors’ point of view, we’ve approached this Test match with the mindset of looking to win the next World Cup,” he said.
“From a selection process, that’s what we went about, so Sonny hasn’t been spoken about because of the mindset we’ve taken with the future in mind.”
Asked if the selectors had let Williams know this, Kearney said: “We’ve tried to, yes.
“I’m not going to get into the details. We’ve gone through our process of trying to make everyone aware of what our plans are.”
Kearney was delighted to see former Kiwi captain Benji Marshall planning to return to the NRL after admitting failure in his code switch to Super Rugby’s Auckland-based Blues.
Marshall has instructed his manager to open talks with NRL clubs after requesting an immediate release from his Super Rugby contract and Cronulla are the early favourites to sign the former Wests Tigers’ playmaker.
“It’s wonderful to have him back in our game if he finds a club, but he hasn’t come into our conversation as selectors for this Anzac Test,” said Kearney.
catcat
Guest
If you want to win you pick the best available players. I don't know why they just don't admit he doesn't want to play. There is no way this is the truth. Remember the Wallabies picking Folau and people saying they don't know how long he will be around, what about other guys...well he is a champion player and lifted that team. SBW is the same, there is just no way you would leave him out of any squad
eagleJack
Guest
Are De Villiers or Horwill switching codes or heading overseas? A better example is Ben Mowen not being considered for the Wallabies this year as he is heading overseas.
so so funny...
Guest
SBW better step up and remind us all of his athletic ability. With a pretty soft approach to representing his nation and a mediocre start to 2014 we might just forget how good he used to be..... C'mon Sonny!
Jay
Guest
I agree. Why bother playing tests if they're are just build up for a World Cup in 3 years time that no one really cares about anyway. Schedule a game that actually matters. Anzac Day in the AFL is said to be the biggest game outside the grand final. Shame the NRL, who have a clear advantage in that they have both Australian and NZ participants, can't do better.
The eye
Guest
True,doesnt make sense at all..if the Aussies had that 2017 logic Cam,JT,Cooper,Billy,Gal,Hodgo and Bird would all be dumped
ozinsa
Guest
I concede my care factor for this game is low but if the Kiwis are contemplating using it to blood new players and won't insist on their best turning out then what's the point? It reinforces what a joke tests are in RL. If two countries in the same time horizon can't agree that a once a year match on an historically important date for both of them matters, why bother with test matches at all. Can you imagine Jean de Villiers or James Horwill saying he wasn't up for a test match with the AB's and would prefer not to play? And those things roll around far more frequently than do the RL tests.
soapit
Guest
i remember who won and i might start to care if it wasnt always australia.
Tommy
Guest
1998 Darren Lockyers official Kangaroo debut. The Kiwis won 22-16 with Locky replacing Robbie O'Davis and having an absolute shocker
j.t
Guest
they said 2 weeks ago the were looking at Manu Ma'u to replace SBW.. www.stuff.co.nz/sport/.../Kiwis-coach-looking-beyond-Sonny-Bill-Williams
Eddie
Guest
Didn't consider him?! Kearneys full of wind. Why doesn't he just say, "SBW cracked the s&$ts with us, ruled himself out-cos he can-and, um, we'll just have to make do. By the way, does anyone have Tohu Harris' number?'
Gavin
Guest
With no disrespect to the occasion, no one remembers or cares who won the Anzac test. You've got to make sacrifices for long term success, and this is one I'm certain they'd be willing to make
j.t
Guest
one can only dream.
j.t
Guest
My point exactly!!!.
Gavin
Guest
They may as well. When was the last time they won an Anzac test?
Carlos
Guest
FFS this is exactly the sort of strategic thinking that worked so well at Parra.... Surely after the embarrassment of the world cup this will be Kearney's last game as coach..
j.t
Guest
As a kiwi supporter I'd rather see a team of newbies play rather then see the same team play year in year out.We always lose the ANZAC test as it is,so blooding new players now in preparation for the 4 nations and world cup is the logical thing to do,besides they may surprise everyone and do really well.I also read 2 weeks ago that they were looking at Parramattas Manu Ma'u to replace SBW.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Pull the other one, it plays jingle bells.......
Tah-Man
Roar Pro
Really? They've approached a mid season test match in 2014 as if it were preparation for the RLWC in 2017? I mean, if it's true that's mighty commendable, but it doesn't really make much sense.