Friday, November 05, 2010
The best of Sonny Bill Williams for Canterbury in 2010
Williams' rugby union journey has been well documented, starting with him falling out with his NRL team and defecting to France to take up the fifteen man code. While there, under the tutorledge of legendary All Black Tana Umaga, SBW learnt the basics of the game and since heading back to his homeland of New Zealand, has thrived with his new team Canterbury.
In just a few weeks of ITM Cup rugby, Williams has silenced the critics as he's shown those magical touches that league fans will have been treated to for years.
Nobody likes unjustified hype, and while there will always be naysayers whenever someone gets too big for the game, Sonny Bill Williams is a unique player, the likes of which we've not seen in rugby union before. His approach is different to the norm, and what he lacks in experience he more than makes up for in raw talent and confidence in his own ability.
Yes, playing Test rugby for the All Blacks will be a huge leap from what is effectively third division rugby in the NPC, but there's no reason why he shouldn't continue to grow as a player and with just under a year to go till the World Cup, there is plenty of rugby to be played and loads of experience to be gained.
Fast tracked into the All Blacks setup for this end of year tour, Williams has been selected to partner Ma'a Nonu in midfield against England. Things will be tight out there, with less space and more pressure than what he's been used to in recent weeks. There's no doubt however that with ball in hand - usually just the one - Sonny Bill Williams will cause all sorts of chaos for opposition defenders.
This is a video showing his best bits from the past few weeks. Obviously it shows the flash bits, but he's shown that he's a hard worker off the ball too, and isn't afraid to get stuck in when required. Enjoy, and if you do, please share the link via the share or tweet buttons below.
Time: 04:55
Music: Invaders must die - Prodigy
Note: For those in areas where this video won't play, eg: Germany, you can view it here
Posted at 10:08 pm | 61 comments
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Viewing 61 comments
Anonymous November 05, 2010 11:17 pm

Anonymous November 05, 2010 11:19 pm

ChinUp November 05, 2010 11:23 pm

Also, how is a guy so massive, so fast and so god damm good, so humble? Going to be an amazing weapon in attack and defense foe NZ.
Bas Horneman November 05, 2010 11:25 pm

WelshOsprey November 05, 2010 11:29 pm

I thought Nonu & Smith were brilliant together.
Anonymous November 05, 2010 11:32 pm

black velvet band November 05, 2010 11:37 pm

But to say he "underperformed" might be true...especially given how well he's lived up to expectations at Canterbury.
I think him and Nonu together will be crazy to watch...unfortunately.
Anonymous November 05, 2010 11:38 pm

He was really good with Toulon but he is probably better with Canterbury, the running rugby makes him shining a lot. And yes he is THIS good at offloading.
black velvet band November 05, 2010 11:40 pm

More often than not, it really does take two or more defenders to shut him down. So, yeah, he's pretty great at offloads...as well as hand-offs.
It could just be the running, offensive-nature of the ITM Cup that suits him so well, but I'd say it usually takes a pretty clever defense or poor supporting runners to keep him from offloading so well.
Greiffel November 05, 2010 11:41 pm

Greiffel November 05, 2010 11:42 pm

Demosys November 05, 2010 11:44 pm

Poor England ^^
ballboy November 06, 2010 12:16 am

Not that you'll se NH teams do this. SO he'll do well on tour, then cost he blacks against SA and espically Oz
Tony Hart November 06, 2010 12:27 am

Anonymous November 06, 2010 12:28 am

Chris November 06, 2010 12:34 am

Not to anyone who actually saw him play at Toulon.
He sucks at Toulon in the same way Shane Williams sucks at the Ospreys. Ie. not very.
Chris November 06, 2010 12:46 am

SBW was prevelant at this, had an uncanny ability. It's now become the norm for forwards in League a few years later. The problem is you can't really defend against it, efficiently. You either allow the offload or put extra men into the tackle, leaving your defense vulnerable.
Sonny is just one of those freak players who plays great despite breaking the fundamental rules you're taught as a kid.
Nando November 06, 2010 1:01 am

Anonymous November 06, 2010 2:03 am

jpm November 06, 2010 2:16 am

Chris November 06, 2010 3:01 am

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What's that got to do with anything? Google 'tongan rugby slavery' and 'bees roux murder'.
I think SBW should get out of Union and go play ping-pong!
Your comments are stupid. League is stronger than it's ever been in Australia and New Zealand. Infact, tonight, the NZ Kiwis take on Australia in a game that doesn't matter(both teams meet again next week in final) infront of a packed Eden park, 48,000 expected, highest attendance of any rugby game in New Zealand this year.
The NRL are also negotiating a new potential 1 billion dollar tv deal and regulary has the highest tv viewings for sporting events in Australia. They're also bringing in a new indepedent comission.
Educate yourself before speaking. The only reason NZ got the 2011 WC is beacuse League is rapidly growing there and is a threat to Rugbys popularity in the number 1 rugby nation in the world.
Some lone lunatic isn't a reflection on the sport, no more than the incidents I mentioned above. Rugby League isn't popular globally but the incident in question has shit to do with anything. Why even say that? Sonny himself would laugh at you.
Chris November 06, 2010 3:04 am

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No comparison, pretty different players. Only thing they have in common is they were good.
Lomu comparisons are usually reserved for players who run over you, rather than beat you with speed :D
I guess you could argue he could be the second Lomu in terms of superstardom though, if he performs aswell in the Super 15 and international scene as he has been doing.
Alasdair November 06, 2010 3:07 am

Jeroz November 06, 2010 3:36 am

go high, he got a great left hand fend
even with 2 defenders he can still offload.
Not to mention he has got the size and speed to score solo tries as well
on the paper he looks awesome. If AB can capitalise on his offloads they are more deadly than ever.
The opposition will have to put in a 2nd wave defender to disrupt his offload when he's holding it out in one hand. Once SBW knows when to offload and when to hold onto the ball he will be more lethal than he already is atm.
fry November 06, 2010 4:25 am

I recall an ITM Cup match where two tries were scored by putting him on the backfoot with a kick behind the line; he fumbled and tries were scored. Not really his fault, and I'm sure he'll only get better, but that's really the only way I can think of to get an edge on the guy.
That, or hit him hard at the beginning of the match and hope to tire him out (he does seem to get tired sometimes during matches...but that's only because when he's not resting a bit, he's all over the park).
Jan November 06, 2010 5:11 am

Jeroz November 06, 2010 5:32 am

Might be more prone to lose ball, but the idea of them both hitting the midfield would be awesome to watch.
Imagine SBW offload to Ranger at full pace.,......
Anonymous November 06, 2010 6:04 am

on the side, rugbydump please keep it coming, fantastic site, and alternative links i.e. for germany are always appreciated.
Flow November 06, 2010 7:30 am

seymourbutz November 06, 2010 10:38 am

"Falling out with his NRL team" lol that's a good one. If league offers him enough money to come back he'll "fall out with his rugby team" too.
Chris November 06, 2010 11:14 am

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Hilarious. When it's a Union player they're not guilty, oh no, they're being framed! It's a global conspiracy!??! Get your tin foil hats folks.
Regardless, you clearly didn't understand my argument. I'm not a half wit imbecile who thinks 1 or 2 token lunatics represent an entire sport. Whether or not the 2 Union players in question are guilty or not is irrelivent. The point is it doesn't matter. It's no reflection on the sport itself. Just as 1 rugby league player engaging in a sick act with a dog isn't a reflection on League. Just as Michael Vick isn't representative of the NFL.
It's not a difficult argument to follow. And frankly I don't care for your excuses regarding the gate tonight. The fact is Union in NZ is going downhill, and the only reason they got the WC was to save the sport from dying. Just as it died in Australia.
The reality is in any country where both sports exist on a professional level, League wins out. England? Best tv ratings are all for League. Australia? Best tv ratings are all for league. And the same thing is slowly happening in NZ with the NRL expanding into NZ. Where League has a team(Auckland), it out performs the Union team(Auckland Blues) in popularity. Infact I'm sure I read the NZ Warriors are one of the most watched teams in NZ, period.
45,000 people don't show up to watch a sport they don't like. No matter how much you try to project your own stupidity onto everyone else.
It's not bad though, is it? That such a non relevant sport has the highest gate all year. Can you imagine a NZ vs Aus game in Union breaking gate figures in Australia? Never lol. Could be a futuristic holographic stadium, wouldn't break any gate figures.
As for your final point about playing numbers, back it up. Show me proof that NZ has ever had 45,000 registered League players.
The fact is the NRL is the most professional rugby tournament in either code, and it'll continue to dominate Australia, and further grow in NZ, especially with the inception of a second Kiwi team in the coming years.
One bloke who fecked a dog won't change that. As much as you want it to.
David November 06, 2010 11:43 am

Anonymous November 06, 2010 11:54 am

As for this weekend, Tindel and Hape stand about as much chance defending against Sonny as i do. Some major yardage incoming
(u-p)rick November 06, 2010 12:00 pm

Its been driving me mad trying to remember....
Anyone got any idea?
Oh and as for SBW...yeh he's pretty good...
Greiffel November 06, 2010 12:29 pm

(u-p)rick November 06, 2010 12:32 pm

I've tried searching on the site and off...I just can't think of the right tags....
Something in my mind is saying it was a french player who was injured, and im drawn to scrumhalf, but im not 100% about that.... :(
As for how far back...umm..over a year at least...perhaps even 2 years...but like the above im not 100% sure..
Danny P November 06, 2010 1:09 pm

Peace out x
ChinUp November 06, 2010 2:39 pm

Are you genuine?! How about you back up all your wild claims with fact (and proof). League better than union? You are joking.
boomer November 06, 2010 2:43 pm

ChinUp November 06, 2010 2:47 pm

The only reason league (NRL) has the perception of massive popularity is because of the media deal they have with channel 9 which 9 got for a bargain way back because the NRL was close to bankruptcy. Channel 9 now have the rights to Rugby Union so let see how it pans out over the next 3 years.
Anonymous November 06, 2010 3:16 pm

Aussie scrum is shit (what's new)
Welsh are soft as velvet (that is new)
Anonymous November 06, 2010 4:22 pm

fry November 06, 2010 4:55 pm

Elissalde, right?
Search the site for Elissalde, and it's t he one where he gets stamped by Rmy Martin.
Greiffel November 06, 2010 5:04 pm

USA7 November 06, 2010 7:21 pm

Anonymous November 06, 2010 11:21 pm

Max November 07, 2010 2:19 am

Chris November 07, 2010 9:59 am

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Who said that?
Max November 07, 2010 10:21 am

It's the internet mate, anyone can steal someones name and make a poster look like a tit. Not that I can't do that myself after a few too many ales
I'm not a RL troll though lol, I'm just a fan of both codes, like alot of people. I only got into Rugby back in 2005, so wasn't raised with the 1 or the other mentallity alot of fans of either code have. Love Rugby, League and even American football.
What's funny is that on Rugby League forums I'm always getting called a rah-rah troll, for argueing in favour of Union on certain points. On Union forums I'm a 'Mungo troll'
Nobody is saying international League isn't a joke, clearly it is, but you'd be insane to think any domestic Union comp in the world comes close to the NRL. The NRL is at now where the Super 15 will be in 5-10 years.
Most players from both codes respect each other, it's a shame alot of fans on either side are such one-eyed numpties.
Inglis is going to the Rabbitohs, btw. The top 14 transfer deadline ended in August, so a Toulon signing is unlikely. Mundine, Russell Crowe and some random Billionaire have all joined to get him at Souths
swede November 07, 2010 11:55 am

Anonymous December 10, 2010 7:26 am

My honest opinion is that rugby is weighed down by the rules of the sport. Refs can have more influence on the outcome than the players do sometimes.
Regardless of the lack of international competition in league the 08 world cup was leaps and bounds ahead of the RWC 07 in terms of excitement.
















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