Israel Folau has rated Sonny Bill Williams one of the best players he’s seen in both rugby league and rugby union as they prepare to clash for the first time in seven years.
Former league internationals Folau and Williams are scheduled to play some part of Friday night’s final Super Rugby practice match between the NSW Waratahs and Chiefs at Campbelltown Stadium in south-western Sydney.
Each will have their first hitout of the season, with All Blacks centre Williams expected to play at least half the match for the Chiefs just six days after his last sporting endeavour in Sydney, an eight-round boxing bout which he won.
The last time they played against each other was in August 2007 in an NRL game when Folau scored three tries for Melbourne in a 38-6 flogging of Williams’s Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
While it’s no certainty they will be on the field at the same time on Friday, it’s more than likely and Wallabies fullback Folau is looking forward to the prospect.
“It’s always good when you challenge yourself against great athletes like Sonny,” Folau said on Thursday.
“No doubt he’s one of the best players in both codes that I’ve seen, so it will be great to go up against him again.”
He had no doubt Williams would make a second successful transition from league to union, pointing to his two-try effort against the United States in his first Test for more than two years in late 2014.
“I definitely think so, he’s a great athlete and those guys are very talented and natural,” Folau said.
“(With) Natural ability you can just come straight in with limited time on the training paddock and perform really well.”
In one sense, Friday’s game is a homecoming for Folau, who will be playing for the first time in more than five years in what could almost be considered his backyard.
Campbelltown Stadium, where he last played in 2009 in his NRL days, is just one rail stop away from the suburb where he was raised.
“It’s only around the corner from where I grew up in Minto, so I’m very excited about going back there and having a game,” Folau said.
Entering his third year in the code, current John Eales Medallist Folau was adamant he still had scope for improvement.
“There’s definitely things that I can work on, both defensively and in attack as well,” Folau said.
He wasn’t giving anything away about whether he would stay in rugby after his contract expires at the end of this World Cup season.
“I’ve got a lot of options,” Folau said.
However, after playing league, union and AFL, the gifted multi-sport athlete ruled out trying his hand at boxing or the NFL.
neil
Guest
SBW was playing poorly at #12 and Smith was doing more than his own role.
nerval
Guest
So could neil...
neil
Guest
Because Nonu was injured. He was not going to tour until that point in time
44bottles
Roar Guru
Pfffff, I could do that in my sleep.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Agree. I personally prefer Nonu, but SBW was in some very good playing form in 2012. Unfortunately, I didn't really watch any rugby that year, so I can only judge it off of other people's opinions. Probably why I prefer Nonu, as I wasn't hugely impressed with SBW cameo's in the World Cup. Same reason I dislike Higginbotham. People say he was in really good form in 2013, yet I've only seen his pre-2013 stuff and his 2014 stuff, which leads me to believe he's one of those "potential" players. He could do so much, but he doesn't have a big enough motor.
nerval
Guest
Not one full union game after two years in the NRL and SBW walks into the All Blacks line-up with a m-o-m performance... and still not good enough for neil. Had Nonu been fit, SBW would still have made the tour - any indication from anyone in NZRU management suggesting otherwise? After one full season, voted alongside the Northern Hemisphere's top centre of the last decade as part of the Top 14 Dream Team. Yeah, lol, as the kids say...
Katipo
Guest
@44 Bottles. Exactly. Hansen is a fan and if Nonu was available a rugby player would have missed out the same way Tohu Harris missed out on the league world cup. SBW is a good player. But his fame exceeds his playing ability in my opinion. (That's hardly his fault of course). This is an interesting article that shines light on SBWs 'power ranking'. "It's a highly scientific mix of star power, potential, "branding" and ability to make a mark on the world stage"... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11398491
44bottles
Roar Guru
He would've made the tour either way, as Hansen sees him as part of the World Cup plan. Fekitoa or Crotty would've been cut.
neil
Guest
Not one of the best. One of the better players maybe.
neil
Guest
SBW would have been picked in the Wallabies after signing for rugby.
neil
Guest
MOM against USA is hardly an accolade given the result. If Nonu had been fit SBW may not have made that tour. Club rugby based dream teams. LOL
neil
Guest
Its his position. On the pine in the fully fit AB team
neil
Guest
I agree
neil
Guest
He is a good player but not a great one. That may come but I doubt it as he doesn't have longevity on his side.
neil
Guest
He will be on the pine if Nonu is fit
neil
Guest
And part time boxer
neil
Guest
He started from the bench so I guess that's not the case.
nerval
Guest
Yet again, for the millionth time, SBW was selected for the All Blacks at the FIRST available opportunity. You know, I know and everyone else on the Roar knows that he was ineligible for the All Blacks while playing for Toulon in France. Only a couple of months ago, after two years in the NRL, he waltzed straight into the All Blacks without having a single full game of rugby union and was awarded the man of the match v USA. And please don't forget that he was selected alongside Yannick Jauzion in the centres for L'Equipe's Dream Team after his first full season.
winston
Guest
SBW would have waltzed into the Wallabies with ease. They are both brilliant players though Folau has dropped in form of late or oppositions have worked him out. SBW needs to get back on that horse, it will be tough for him to start in Black
44bottles
Roar Guru
Understated? Clearly you haven't been watching any Rugby related media over the last year and a bit.