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Sonny Bill Williams' signature chased by broadcaster as post-playing career switch beckons

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams reportedly remains in the sights of Australian broadcaster Nine as a commentator for their rugby union and rugby league coverage ahead of the upcoming season.

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Taking over from Fox as Australia’s premier rugby broadcasters after securing a $100m, three-year broadcast deal with Rugby Australia last year, Nine have sought the signature of Williams as a commentator while his playing future remains uncertain.

The 35-year-old last played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL as a loanee from the Toronto Wolfpack in 2020, but the Canadian club won’t take part in this year’s Super League due to implications brought on by COVID-19.

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That leaves Williams’ two-year contract with the Wolfpack, worth a record-breaking $10m, in limbo, as does the neck surgery he underwent at the end of last year’s NRL campaign.

While many clubs would be eager to sign the two-time World Cup-winning All Black, two-time NRL champion and heavyweight boxer, a report from the Sydney Morning Herald indicates Williams will only make a call on his sporting career after meeting with his neurosurgeon in the next month.

Either way, the Herald suggests Nine are intent on bringing both Williams and former dual-code female international Allana Ferguson onboard alongside a commentary lineup that also features a raft of well-known names within Australia and abroad.

According to the report, Williams and Ferguson would join the likes of experienced callers Sean Maloney and Andrew Swain, popular TV host Nick McArdle, and former Wallabies stars Tim Horan and Drew Mitchell as those to have already signed on.

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Previous SMH reports have also stated that Williams may also work for Nine in a dual-code capacity and work for the free-to-air network as a league commentator in the NRL as well.

Through its new digital sports channel Stan Sports, Nine will kick-off its reign as Australia’s top rugby broadcaster next month when the Reds host the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium in the first match of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season on February 19.

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AM 44 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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