From stuff.co.nz
by Neil Reid
Sonny Bill Williams will be asked to skip the season-ending Tri-series.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes revealed to Sunday News last night that club management wanted the league sensation to skip the Kiwis' title defence instead opting for a two-month layoff ahead of pre-season training.
"It's important we look after him - we have got a fairly large investment to protect," Folkes told Sunday News from Sydney.
"We haven't talked to Sonny Bill about the Tri-series yet."
But it is going to be a tough situation we are going to be in. No doubt a few months of rest on his knee would be pretty valuable to him.
"I know he likes playing for his country. It is going to be a tough decision.
"We will talk to him about it (giving the Tri-series a miss).
"We have to look after him -we have to do the right thing by him so he gets the opportunity to play as good as he possibly can."
Folkes' comments continue a bleak seven days for Williams.
He was given bereavement leave last week to return to Auckland for his grandmother's funeral.
Folkes' comments came a week after Williams revealed when he was at his lowest last year, sidelined with a knee injury, he feared his career was over.
Folkes said Williams had never shared those views with him.
But he said the injury had taken its toll.
"We don't see him all that much at training," Folkes said.
"He doesn't run a lot with us. He pretty much just does conditioning and ball work.
"We have to carefully manage him through the week. And that could be the case maybe for the rest of his career."
Williams was originally selected in the centres for today's clash against the Warriors after the dual suspensions of Matt Utai and Jarrad Hickey.
Last weekend he starred for the Bulldogs in the back row.
And he is expected to revert to the forwards again today after the late defection of Chris Armit to a shoulder injury.
"As Sonny Bill is getting a bit of match fitness and confidence, he is making more of an impact," Folkes said.
"He's played 10 games in a row now. He's getting back to his old self.
"It's all about playing for him. His match fitness is certainly improving and he's getting confidence from his continued game time."
by Neil Reid
Sonny Bill Williams will be asked to skip the season-ending Tri-series.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes revealed to Sunday News last night that club management wanted the league sensation to skip the Kiwis' title defence instead opting for a two-month layoff ahead of pre-season training.
"It's important we look after him - we have got a fairly large investment to protect," Folkes told Sunday News from Sydney.
"We haven't talked to Sonny Bill about the Tri-series yet."
But it is going to be a tough situation we are going to be in. No doubt a few months of rest on his knee would be pretty valuable to him.
"I know he likes playing for his country. It is going to be a tough decision.
"We will talk to him about it (giving the Tri-series a miss).
"We have to look after him -we have to do the right thing by him so he gets the opportunity to play as good as he possibly can."
Folkes' comments continue a bleak seven days for Williams.
He was given bereavement leave last week to return to Auckland for his grandmother's funeral.
Folkes' comments came a week after Williams revealed when he was at his lowest last year, sidelined with a knee injury, he feared his career was over.
Folkes said Williams had never shared those views with him.
But he said the injury had taken its toll.
"We don't see him all that much at training," Folkes said.
"He doesn't run a lot with us. He pretty much just does conditioning and ball work.
"We have to carefully manage him through the week. And that could be the case maybe for the rest of his career."
Williams was originally selected in the centres for today's clash against the Warriors after the dual suspensions of Matt Utai and Jarrad Hickey.
Last weekend he starred for the Bulldogs in the back row.
And he is expected to revert to the forwards again today after the late defection of Chris Armit to a shoulder injury.
"As Sonny Bill is getting a bit of match fitness and confidence, he is making more of an impact," Folkes said.
"He's played 10 games in a row now. He's getting back to his old self.
"It's all about playing for him. His match fitness is certainly improving and he's getting confidence from his continued game time."
