General SBW staying in league

[Hitman82]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11138773

Sonny Bill Williams will stick with rugby league and the Roosters next year after informing the NZRU and Chiefs he won't be returning to rugby in 2014.

The 28-year-old met with NZRU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen and Chiefs coaches Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith in Sydney yesterday, when it was assumed he was finalising a deal to return to the Chiefs and New Zealand rugby. The NZRU put out a statement, however, to say Williams wouldn't be returning to rugby in New Zealand next year.

Read Gregor Paul's column - SBW making it up as he goes along

While disappointed not to have secured the World Cup winner for 2014, Sorensen said it was no secret Williams had options for his playing career next year.

"We obviously worked pretty hard to bring Sonny home, and we have had some really good conversations with him,'' Sorensen said. ``This is disappointing but we know we put our best foot forward and, in the end, Sonny has made his decision.

"As we do with many players who leave New Zealand, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with him about his playing career.''

The Roosters said in a statement today that Williams had pledged his commitment to the club for 2014 and it expected him to sign a new deal in mid-February on the same terms and conditions as his 2013 contract.

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie said: "While we are disappointed that Sonny won't be with us in 2014 now, we'll be keen to keep talking to him about future options.''
The NZRU understood Williams had informed the Roosters he will return to them for the 2014 season.

Firstly, he will help the Kiwis at the rugby league World Cup. He was a controversial late inclusion after originally indicating he would be unavailable for the tournament.

Sorry guys, technical glitch (unwell moderator) killed the thread. Resume the splooge fest.

 

[mt.wellington]

Did the other posts get nuked hahaha???

 

[Hitman82]

Haha yeah bro. Glandular fever + mod privileges = certain doom. Back to gta5 for me!

 

[RidingPie]

Its great news for RL and particularly the WC. Here in the UK many of the London based newspapers have printed articles about him playing in the WC and (probably) staying at the Roosters. Usually we'd be lucky to get a mention!

 

[mrblonde]

Somewhat up himself to assume that A: He'll be needed in Super 15 in 2015 and B: He'll go so damn well that he'll - also - be needed by the All Blacks in 2015.

I sincerely hope Boxing NZ keep their word and strip him of the NZ Heavyweight Belt - or whatever the heck it's called - if he doesn't take a challenge within the next six months. It's getting stupid - he won the title in February 2012 and hasn't accepted a challenge yet.

Is SBW benefitting from having Mundane's patronage? No one wants to upset Mundane and his crew because if they do he pulls out the Racism and the AntiMuslim cards.

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

I reckon he'll go back to Buggery after next year, though, to win another World Cup.

 

[Gizzyfan]

I understand his pulling power as Riding Pie correctly pointed out. He is going for top dollar one year deals playing NZRU, NZRL, Chiefs and Roosters against each other. I suppose good on him if he can do it. It is Khoder Nasser, who I despise, behind all this and even then I don't blame him, he is doing the job of a Manager in maximising his player's value. I blame those organisations, particularly NZRL. Despite his pulling power Riding Pie, I think the dropping of Harris AFTER selection is disgraceful.

 

[snake77]

It would have been disappointing if he only had the one year of league; especially now that he is a bit more mature as a player. It would have been a shame at the end of his career the only league years were his early years at the Bulldogs.

He's not a natural rugby player so him playing league is a lot better entertainment wise.

He will most likely go back to the Chiefs next year and have a shot at making the All Blacks for the World Cup. I'm comfortable with that; and hopefully it works like that without the yearly circus.

Got to love the NZ media though; headlines that he had a second back flip in a week and that he has totally screwed the Chiefs. All of the quotes from the the Chiefs management were professional and didn't point to them feeling that way.

The Chiefs thought he might come earlier then expected and left a slot open for them but needed an answer; they got one and probably a commitment for next year. The Roosters didn't want to pressure him and made and offer and left him to decide even though they'd have been behind on their recruitment for next year if he said no. The Chiefs and the Roosters have been pretty professional with this situation.

 

[bb]

Money wise, which code would pay you more? I'm guessing playing for the chiefs/ all blacks would bring in more $$. So it's not all about the money?

 

[Harlz]

Money wise, which code would pay you more? I'm guessing playing for the chiefs/ all blacks would bring in more $$. So it's not all about the money?

doubt it, league pays way more. the only place these union players can get a huge pay check is by going to europe or japan, hence sabaticals from dc and rm

soon australia will pull out of union altogether and just concentrate on afl and nrl as they dont have a chance in hell to beat the abz, gone are the days of rivalry

 

[surfin]

Money wise, which code would pay you more? I'm guessing playing for the chiefs/ all blacks would bring in more $$. So it's not all about the money?

The chiefs boss? said in his interview that money had nothing to do with SBWs decision, paychecks weren't even discussed, although he felt money wise they had a pretty good offer. I think signing with rubgy gives more freedom to get outside deals as a cap isn't an issue.

 

[MarkW]

I reckon he'll go back to Buggery after next year, though, to win another World Cup.

And to have a crack at the Olympics no doubt.

 

[RidingPie]

Riding Pie, I think the dropping of Harris AFTER selection is disgraceful.

I absolutely 100% agree with you. It's terrible and is the sour note of the whole thing. I feel gutted for the lad.

I know I only bugged up the positives in my last post but, honestly, with every thing going on in RL in the uk at the moment (don't know if you've hear about the SLE chairmen and RFL being on the verge of going their separate ways) I'm just trying to focus on the positives of the World Cup.

 

[edd]

I absolutely 100% agree with you. It's terrible and is the sour note of the whole thing. I feel gutted for the lad.

I know I only bugged up the positives in my last post but, honestly, with every thing going on in RL in the uk at the moment (don't know if you've hear about the SLE chairmen and RFL being on the verge of going their separate ways) I'm just trying to focus on the positives of the World Cup.

Keep the faith brother... That's the Warriors way...

 

[snake77]

Yeah saw an article by Steve Mascord in the Sydney Morning Herald discussing the upheavals in the game in the UK. It wouldn't be rugby league without factions; apparently even the USA has a rebel rugby league faction.

It was reported over here that Tohu Harris Harris' parents brought or were about to buy tickets to go over and watch him play in the world cup.

There is a lot of finger pointing over here at the moment; I can't really blame Kearney and the selectors they were after a decision all year. It was widely accepted he wouldn't kiwis and they named their tem after they finally go an answer. They either had to make a decision to remove someone and make a call and disappoint a player so they could have the best possible team or tell him thanks but no thanks then get vilified if they don't win without him.

The best think to come out of this week is that his leaving everything to the last minute and getting everyone to run around after him has backfired. Now they have come out and said what he is going to do so hopefully the circus stops for a while.

 

[Sup42]

Its great news for RL and particularly the WC. Here in the UK many of the London based newspapers have printed articles about him playing in the WC and (probably) staying at the Roosters. Usually we'd be lucky to get a mention!

If New Zealand was hosting the Wiorld cup I would want all the best players in the World here irrespective of their internal politics. It's good for the event and the only World cup we have.

Good Luck for the campaign , many of us will be barracking for England over the Aussies and hopefully Tomkins and Locke go head to head from Fullback when we play.

 

[mt.wellington]

I absolutely 100% agree with you. It's terrible and is the sour note of the whole thing. I feel gutted for the lad.

Pretty sad stuff really but can you confirm something Ive heard that the Kiwi games are fast selling out after the SBW news???

 

[RidingPie]

Pretty sad stuff really but can you confirm something Ive heard that the Kiwi games are fast selling out after the SBW news???

I believe one of the venues has sold out but can't remember which. I think it was a 17k stadium and before te decision had sold 15k. I'd be interested to know if there has been a surge of interest.


My brother in law, a dyed in the wool RU supporter who always accuses RL of being too repetitive (something I'd more level at RU) has now joined my group going to the final, probably because of SBW

 

[RidingPie]

Good Luck for the campaign , many of us will be barracking for England over the Aussies and hopefully Tomkins and Locke go head to head from Fullback when we play.

Here's to hopefully (though sadly not likely) meeting you in te final.

 

[Tonbridge (Swanley)]

Here's to hopefully (though sadly not likely) meeting you in te final.

I feel the same way! I've got tickets to the semi finals and not even sure the Kiwis will get that far!