Sonny Bill Williams, the star forward, is not playing for the Toronto Wolfpack due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of the English Super League.
This has opened up a chance to return to the NRL, and the team it seems that he will go to will be his old club in the Sydney Roosters.
But will it be the right move for the Roosters? It seems it will be a swap deal and will be done in a matter of days but will he be the right player to bring in?
Let’s be honest, he is not the player he once was. Also it could be impossible to get him into the country with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the contract issues that surround this deal.
Moreover, what makes this deal complex is the fact Williams has a contract with Toronto for 2021. Fox Sports reported the deal is worth $5 million a year.
What is quite interesting is that there is a huge endorsement by ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who said: “He’s a big brand and he’ll attract a lot of attention to our sport”.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
It seems the NRL is trying to stay relevant and by doing this is attracting a traitor of his national team, not to mention a traitor to Canterbury and many other clubs.
He is maybe not the right option now in these times, especially due to the fact that Sonny Bill Williams is not an Australian citizen, which means he cannot enter the country and also would have to do a 14-day quarantine to add to the drama of the deal.
Moreover, it seems the Roosters have been the NRL’s puppet. Why don’t they help the Gold Coast Titans to be relevant again or help the New Zealand Warriors, who have saved the NRL’s season from falling apart?
You are telling me Sonny Bill Williams is your answer? He is a waste of money.
The Roosters must be careful if they do take the risk because Sonny Bill Williams has been injury-prone in the past and would be a risk for someone who has not played in six months.
In addition to this, will he be the right player for the Roosters?
Let’s just say they have one of the best players in the league with James Tedesco and Brett Morris, you are thinking of bringing in a mercenary in Sonny Bill Williams. Is he the answer? I don’t know.
Why would you want Williams? Trent Robinson commented on Sonny Bill Williams by stating: “He’s a Rooster and he’s going to add value”.
This shows he wants him as a part of the brand, not that fact he still has to play and would have to bring the right chemistry to a highly valued side.
The pressure would be on the Roosters from the get-go and he would have to fit in straight away. We see when new players are in a new side the chemistry has not been there. Look at the Broncos’ and Wests Tigers’ new players, who came in and still can’t find their feet.
This is not to mention who would you replace for Sonny Bill Williams and would the likes of Tedesco take a pay cut so the deal can be done? Because I am guessing that Sonny Bill Williams will want the big bucks.
Overall, getting Sonny Bill Williams is a stunt and will not benefit the Roosters at all.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Marketing.. you mean giving the spectator what it wants... STARS.. Guilty..
deucer
Roar Rookie
Whether a stunt or not, it will generate publicity and gain bigger ratings. I thought he had shares in the Wolfpac, therefore would want to get back for 2021, although after Perez withdrawal it has lost the significant backer it needed to survive and covid has just exposed it's many difficulties.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Most criticism of the Roosters comes from jealousy of their success, but this is a legitimate point. If SBW wants to return to the NRL he should be allowed to do so only on the terms that best suit the game, and that does not involve joining the 2-time reigning premiers. It should be the Warriors or nothing.
Simoc
Guest
One of the more clueless articles you will ever read. From you: "Let’s just say they have one of the best players in the league with James Tedesco and Brett Morris, you are thinking of bringing in a mercenary in Sonny Bill Williams. Is he the answer? I don’t know." Sums it up nicely. Why write when you don't know anything. Mr Clickbait.
Randy
Roar Rookie
I think the writer believes the NRL desperately want to bring SBW back to revive the NRL season LOL and they are forcing the Roosters to take him. Hence why this article is getting absolutely hammered.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Who's been begrudging?
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Yeah and he's missing out on a Zarraffa's coffee and an exotic beer that's imported from Victoria, at a nice, quiet venue that's 30 minutes away from another venue.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Thanks, the 2013 win slipped my mind when I was doing my calculations showing I should always check the records. Easts have done 3 in a row twice, 1911-1913 and 1935-1937. The Easts win in 1935 was the only time Easts, Souths, Wests and Norths finished in the top four. Souths beat Norths 14-10 and Easts beat Wests 15-10 in the semi-finals and Easts beat Souths 19-3 in the final to claim the title. The grand final was only needed if the minor premiers lost a game as only the minor premiers got a second bite at the cherry.
Growler
Roar Rookie
The article is an opinion, which in itself is a level of bias. The headline lured me in, piqued my interest. What I read was dribble, not backed by any facts, not even unsubstantiated examples save for an occasional quote. Moreso, if you want to be a journalist shouldn’t you be prepared to defend your stance in the comments section? Good journalists will at least stick up for their stance, right or wrong and whether you agree or disagree. SBW is a sideline act to an already intriguing NRL competition and the quality of this article only cements that further.
League4Ever
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately the Roosters have 15 Premierships, not 14.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
You was not talking about fairness mate. Most people here are saying SBW is past it, but you and I know better. So its not about quality of player, its about fairness. If its good for Canberra to get a player mid season then its good for Easts also.
Ben O'Brien
Guest
I'd point out this article is utter tripe, but I note that you're a student journalist. If you're going to write on this, I suggest you get better acquainted with the subject matter- in both Union and League. The Roosters will likely have to pay around 150-200k for Sonny to play 4-5 matches in the regular season (accounting for quarantine). From all reports, they have this space in the cap after the retirement of Cronk, and the early release of Latrell Mitchell. Whilst not being anywhere near the player he once was, Sonny is still regarded as a consumate professional (despite his previous transgressions with the Dogs in '08), and would be a welcome influence at Bondi should the Roosters be in touch with the top four for a tilt at a third straight premiership. Would I like to see Sonny go to a club that might benefit more from his influence? Sure. But he has previously stated he'd only come back for Nick Politis. So any bidding war that would potentially drive up his value is moot if he isn't even negotiating with multiple clubs. This is no "marketing stunt". The NRL isn't doing it to "remain relevant" (which sounds like a bias only an AFL fan looking on with envy as the poor cousin got their code back on track several weeks earlier - as a journo, you should probably declare your interest there). The Chooks are just looking to bring a professional influence in for another title raid. Keep practising. Keep researching. And try to sound less cynical so early in your career - you've decades ahead of you to let that rubbish creep into your game.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I read the story and then the posts. Some say the author is a journalist and going by the amount of bulldust, I would say he is quite an experienced journo. After a second read I found a sentence of substance where it says SBW is not the player he was. Disregarding the codswallop above, I am certainly not enthused by the great mercenary coming back to the NRL. He's had his day in the sun and it is a slap in the face for the poor buggar who has to drop out of the team for him. Marketing ploy maybe, enhancing the NRL no way.
Skidmarx
Guest
Players don’t go to those clubs with a vision of winning premierships, they go there to be overpaid and become redundant.
egbert
Guest
how is SBW a 'traitor of his national team'? (genuine question) I think just his presence at training and 25-30 minutes a game could make a real difference to the Roosters at the back end of the season.
Kramer
Guest
“You are telling me Sonny Bill Williams is your answer? He is a waste of money.” “you are thinking of bringing in a mercenary in Sonny Bill Williams. Is he the answer? I don’t know.” ????what’s going on here then. The work experience kid has snuck in an article.
Gazman163
Guest
If SBW comes back why would he sign on for a team that won’t make the finals. 5 games max. With a top 8 side he will get finals games as well. No brainer why he will go to the Roosters.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
That Rooster I am, That Rooster I am, I do not like that Rooster I am. Apologies to Dr Seuss. The Dragons (16 Premierships) are going to beat the Roosters (14 Premierships) next time they meet.
Walter Black
Guest
Does this author have any interest at all in the NRL ? SBW is in limbo until next year when hopefully he can return to Toronto and Superleague. Its true that his contribution to the game will not be what it was but it will capitalise and publicity which our global game has been starved of for millennia. He will bring enjoyment to a lot of fans so in this year of misery, why not let him bring a little joy. Well done Mr. Vlandys for considering what enhances the game and not squirming around petty rules.
SourD
Roar Rookie
Oi, i live in 'miserable' Melbourne and am quite capable of enjoying overpriced, alley coffee while still having more informed opinions than the guy who wrote this piece. One thing doesn't rule out the other! (Also between the weather and the lockdown i got a great reason to watch 3 games of NRL this arvo.)