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Pro D2

Tim Nanai-Williams secures a second Pro D2 medical joker lifeline

By Liam Heagney

86 days ago

Tim Nanai-Williams on duty for Samoa at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan (Photo by Francois Nel/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Veteran Samoa international Tim Nanai-Williams is back in the game after an injury comeback delay allowed him to return to Beziers just months after the club released him at the end of the 2023/24 season. Overlooked by his country for 2023 Rugby World Cup squad selection, the 35-year-old originally joined the Pro D2 outfit last September as a medical joker after exiting Toulouse, where he had spent two seasons.

Prior to that he had been with Clermont, another Top 14 club, for three seasons after featuring for the Super Rugby Chiefs and Black Rams Tokyo. Despite starting in 10 of his 17 appearances last term and scoring two tries, Beziers opted not to keep Williams on for the 2024/25 second-tier campaign in France.

However, a delay in the comeback of Romain Uruty, the player Nanai-Williams covered for last season after he injured his ACL, has paved the way for his medical joker return. He had been unable to pick up a contract elsewhere and was available to immediately join up with his old club ahead of this Friday’s latest Pro D2 fixture away at Aurillac.

‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

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‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

The Boks Office crew react to South Africa’s one-point loss to Argentina, with all to play for in Nelspruit this coming weekend. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

A club statement read: “To compensate for the absence of Romain Uruty for a few more weeks, the club has called upon the experienced and versatile Samoan international Tim Nanai-Williams, who returns to our ranks as a medical joker.

“At 35, Tim has played for some of the great Top 14 teams, having played for Clermont and Toulouse. Having won the Challenge Cup (2019, with ASM) and the French championship title (2023, with Toulouse), he is a real Swiss army knife capable of playing in the full-back back, winger, centre or even fly-half positions who will strengthen our three-quarter line.”

????? ?????-???????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? & ???? !
Les infos => https://t.co/xd8BweiSYE pic.twitter.com/uD6bkMKTAz
— ASBH Officiel (@ASBHOfficiel) September 25, 2024

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Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 51 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 59 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 6 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU