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He's a terrific man' - Wallabies coach welcomes SBW's NRL return

Sonny Bill Williams. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Even Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is looking forward to the next chapter of Sonny Bill Williams’ sporting career.

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Williams is currently in mandatory quarantine in Sydney ahead of a cameo stint with the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of the 2020 NRL season.

The dual international has returned to Australia after Toronto pulled out of the English Super League competition.

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Sonny Bill Williams two masterful Try Assists

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Sonny Bill Williams two masterful Try Assists

The 34-year-old is tipped to make his first appearance for the Roosters since the 2014 preliminary final in a round-17 grand final rematch against Canberra.

It will be the latest extraordinary step in a career which has included NRL premierships, rugby league Tests, two rugby union World Cup wins and a handful of professional boxing bouts.

“He’s a terrific man,” Rennie said on Friday.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

The pair worked together at New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs in 2012, with Rennie coaching a Williams-inspired team to the franchise’s first title that year.

They combined again when Williams returned to the Chiefs in 2015.

Rennie said as well as his sporting ability, the Roosters would also benefit from Williams’ leadership and guidance as they sought an historic first NRL title hat-trick.

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“Massive influence and great for the young guys and so on,” Rennie said.

“It’s always sad that people find a way of pulling him down but I’ve got nothing but high praise.”

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has warned Sonny Bill Williams the NRL has changed in his absence after watching Ben Te’o struggle to get up to speed. Williams was bound for Sydney on Wednesday, leaving his base in Manchester and ending a rare period in ‘holiday mode’ for the dual-code star.

The 34-year-old had planned a European getaway once Toronto pulled out of the Super League, but he has now made a snap decision to return to the NRL.

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It took just a few calls from Trent Robinson and Nick Politis to have him back at the injury-plagued Roosters and part of their hunt for an elusive three-peat. But now Seibold warns the toughest part awaits.

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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