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Sonny Bill Williams opens up on injuries and World Cup selection

Sonny Bill Williams. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Patrick McKendry / NZ Herald

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Sonny Bill Williams has spoken of the high emotions in his household at the news he would be attending his third Rugby World Cup, his responsibilities to the All Blacks, and how he never gave up hope of making what will be his last tournament in the black jersey despite his near constant injury setbacks.

Williams, 33, is one of four midfielders in the 31-man All Black squad for Japan, but his inclusion was no given even despite his capacity to do extraordinary things on a rugby pitch. He had to prove his fitness in two matches for Counties recently – and the Herald understands he requested a team sheet in order to memorise the names of all the squad members as a mark of respect – and then front against the Wallabies at Eden Park.

Sonny Bill Williams prepares to hit the line against the Wallabies. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Like the rest of his teammates, Williams put in a stunning performance against Australia. He again defended well and scored a try in the second half after running a very brave line back into heavy traffic by the posts. Throughout he was aware of potential Wallabies threats and never stopped communicating with Richie Mo’unga inside him and Anton Lienert-Brown outside.

That he did so is a testament to his physical and mental toughness and ability to shine on the biggest stage, something he acknowledged as a gift he is lucky to have.

In an interview with Radio Sport’s Jim Kayes which will be aired today, Williams began by explaining what making the trip to Japan meant for him and his family “because of the magnitude of it and after the year that I’ve had”. Williams is already in possession of two World Cup winners’ medals from the 2011 and 2015 tournaments.

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“I actually watched the naming for the first time,” he tells Kayes. “I watched it with my family. There were a few tears from my wife and brother and it really just made it feel real – this thing that you strive for … has paid off. I’m really excited to be here and now there’s a job to do and hopefully that’s to create history.”

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Asked about his injuries – his latest was a knee problem which required surgery and wrecked his season at the Blues – Williams said: “You get knocked down but you’ve just got to get back up. To be honest, it has been really tough and I’ve had to show a lot of resilience. But I’m just proud. A skilled sailor was never made in smooth waters and I’ve definitely struggled in that respect over the past few years.

“Against Australia and in those big games; I thrive on those moments because they are the biggest stages where you can create history. I love those types of moments. Even a few years ago I could have been caught off guard, caught in the red and flustered [by the pressure]. I understand when I get in those moments and the process to get myself out of them.”

Sonny Bill Williams meets fans following a skills session with the Canterbury Resilience Foundation during the All Blacks to the Nation visits on August 29, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
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Asked whether he was tempted to stop given the way his body has failed him recently, Williams said: “To be honest, no. I try to live my life with the glass-half-full mentality and that’s what my faith gives me.

“When you’re praying five times a day and you’re trying to pray not just with your limbs but with your heart, it just naturally happens. I’m grateful to be able to live my life as a professional sportsman doing what I love – not having to dig holes or paint houses like my brother does every day for a living. A little injury here or there – it ain’t no thing in the big scheme of things.”

If the way the Springboks defended against him during the drawn test in Wellington is any guide, Williams will attract plenty of attention in Japan. But for the former league player who became known for his flamboyant offloads – a skill he still has – and shoulder-charging defence (which he has had to curb), that has always been there.

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“I’ve always had that, I guess. But if I can open up space elsewhere by attracting players then I’m doing my job. In my younger days it may have been about getting on the highlight reels and making big plays but now I know to be a good team player you don’t have to do that fancy stuff. Although, when I’m on song that stuff comes naturally.”

Williams, who has played 53 tests and enjoyed a well-travelled Super Rugby career at the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues, will always divide opinion despite what he has achieved in the game, but probably not for much longer as he doesn’t have a New Zealand Rugby contract for next year.

Sonny’s last days in a black jersey are coming quickly. Since 2010 when he returned from France to play for Canterbury in the national provincial championship, it’s been an entertaining spectacle.

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Did he ever think he would attend three World Cups?

“No, never. For a guy that grew up not even really watching rugby union and idolising rugby league players to ‘okay, I’m a rugby player now, I want to achieve something’ to being where I am right now, it’s an amazing feeling. But at the same time, with this comes responsibilities and I’m part of a team that wants to make history.”

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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