kybone says...

I think SBW is doing what he feels is best for his career. He obviously likes a bit of variety in his life and he doesn't owe anyone anything. The only thing I would say is that for me he still had a little to prove in union. What i mean by that is, at international level he was a regular for NZ and he was often in the first XV. But when push came to shove and NZ were picking their very best XV for the Semi's and Final of the World Cup SBW wasn't in it. Thats the only real blot on his copybook but it is the reason why he'll be remembered as a very good player and not a great one for me.

Posted 17:39 11th July 2012

Bones7 says...

SBW gets such a bad rep. The poll that ran on here with the option stating that rugby would possibly be better off without his 'antics' was infuriating considering he seems to my knowledge to have conducted himself in a very professional manner on and off the field the whole time he's been in union, barring an incident when he went skiing when he was recovering from an injury! For someone who has offered so much entertainment and quality he's not really received the recognition he's deserved. The accusations that he's a money grabbing mercenary are ridiculous considering as tha_mai says he's turned down bigger offers. I've also not seen anything that would suggest he thinks of himself as a superstar to the detriment of teams he is in. The guys spent a few seasons in union and revolutionized what can be done with ball in hand and all he seems to get in return are tuts of disapproval!

Posted 22:51 10th July 2012

markpat says...

@ Stellenbosched2 - what happens if he gets seriously injured, if he decided to stay with the Chiefs?

What percentage of ex-players actually get a career in rugby, after their playing days, based solely on their rugby skills? Especially without having excellent basic skills of his position.

Why take that risk if you can earn the money while actually playing?

Posted 12:54 10th July 2012

tha_mai says...

Stellenbosched2 says..."To me SBW is like the prettiest . .."

well I'd stop you right there, Please limit your posts to rugby.

Posted 12:31 10th July 2012

fozza says...

@Jaystarr, I agreed with your post up to a point. I was also going to point out that people at my rugby club are now trying offloads and calling out "Sonny Bill" when it comes off. It's not new, but the consistency and ability he's brought to the skill has been astronomical.

For the second part, is it possible that the whole reason for doing these other things is because he does have enough money. This man will soon enjoy playing a sport for money in a completely different culture in Japan. This after he has experienced a ton of what the SANZAR area has to offer through League and union. He's tried another sport and achieved at a high level (boxing) and in the past he has played in France.

If I had the opportunity to be paid for playing a game I love, I'd love to believe that I would have the bravery to try out new things. Loyalty to one team is admirable but we should not then berate a different player who wants more out of his career and more variety in his life. Godd on him and all the best.

Posted 11:51 10th July 2012

Stellenbosched2 says...

Hi Storm,

I'm going to have to disagree with your point about maximizing earning potential by always looking for a better deal elsawhere. Yes, in the short term you will earn more money. However in the long term you lose. As someone who has chopped and changed like SBW has, once you retire you still have 40 odd years of your life to live. Your earning potential plus the ability to get a desired job within rugby is then severely limited. You have the sort of reputation that makes sponsors run in the other direction, and the good positions are filled by those who have shown more loyalty over the years.

Posted 06:50 10th July 2012

Ripzy007 says...

You can only be playing for a little while and when you're earning that amount of money in professional sport, why not take the money...that is life and good on SBW...

Posted 03:52 10th July 2012

melkdave says...

I can understand SBW wanting to test himself ,after all he has won all he can in both forms of rugby,and proven himself to be an excepional player inboth codes.Its just a shame that his eventually returning to RL ,and not staying with union .But then i guess as someone else has said a player has a limited career timewise ,and money talks ,after all his going to be longer retired than he ever played .So good luck to him, i think he will go down as a player who could have been the greatest ever ,if only he had stayed till after the 20415 RWC

Posted 01:39 10th July 2012

JayStarr says...

I don't care what people say about SBW - I haven't seen any one player make such an impact since Jonah Lomu. His ability to get the ball away - PERFECTLY 90% of the time - even if there are 5 guys all over him, is simply incredible. Since he arrived on the scene you have seen players in every other team attempt these offloads, and even players right down to junior level in South Africa... And everyone calls it the Sonny Bill Williams - and everyone who hears it being called this knows exactly what they're talking about!

No, anybody denying the impact this guy has had is delusional. He changed the game - even though it was just one little element. He made a impact like few rugby players ever do. Why on earth he wants to go play League (I mean seriously, who plays league outside Australia and NZ? I lived in the UK for 10 years and the only time I ever saw a game on television was when I accidently strolled into a Walkabout...) - or why on earth he wants to start boxing NOW (way too late!) is beyond me. I suppose the only explanation is money. And in that case I've lost respect for him. He would've been paid more than well enough in NZ playing for the All Blacks - and through endorsements - to live very comfortably for the rest of his life. No need to be this greedy.

Posted 18:51 09th July 2012

alex_babbler says...

Regarding SBW, he is obviously an imensely tallented man. But as a fan I feel let down, like I am watching the world cup final with my team winning and then someone pulls the plug out of the tv. I wish him all the best, but I hope he doesn't come back to union. Union is a team game, the team matters and you shouldn't put yourself above it.

Posted 16:10 09th July 2012