SBW International Player of the Year

 

Dual international Sonny Bill Williams has capped his spectacular return to rugby league by being named the world's best player. Lots of Aussies not very happy about this.
 
The New Zealand superstar was crowned Rugby League International Federation player of the year in Manchester today, beating out fellow nominees Kangaroos star Greg Inglis and Scotland playmaker Danny Brough

 

In taking out the gong, Williams broke an Australian stranglehold on the honour with Billy Slater (2008, 2011), Jarryd Hayne (2009), Todd Carney (2010) and Cameron Smith (2012) previous winners since it was established six years ago.

 

 

Supreme Awards:

Player of the Year: Sonny Bill Williams (NZ)
Coach of the Year: Trent Robinson (Aus)
Rookie of the Year: George Burgess (Eng)
Referee of the Year: Ben Cummins
  
International team of the year:

Fullback: Greg Inglis (Aus)
Winger: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ)
Centre: Jamie Lyon (Aus)
Five-Eighth: Danny Brough (Sco)
 Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans (Aus)
Prop: Sam Burgess (Eng)
Hooker: Issac Luke (NZ)
Lock: Corey Parker (Aus)
Second Row: Sonny Bill Williams (NZ)

 

 

Kiwis going into this weekends RLWC final as underdogs but will have the support of the home crowd at Old Trafford Manchester as the English don't like the foul mouthed Australians for some reason.  Something to do with the Ashes getting ugly i think?

 

It will be the largest crowd in the history of rugby league, with more than 70,000 fans

 brycy the Ozzies will kick your butts but can't say I care. Never watch rugby league.sbw must stick to rugby lest some hasbeen ou flattens him in the ring. I think Botha retired him. Kocked some sense into this kiw bird brain. 

Congrats to SBW! Good luck this weekend, it will be a tough game for sure.
Now come back to rugby mate, we want to see you in the Chiefs jersey and then in Black!

Brycy: any news on Sitting Bull? He is needed to keep these delusional SA supporters in some sort of reality zone.

I was, I thought, managing sitting bulls delusions very well.

 Beeno and sbw on the same page re the hahahaka:
Manchester - Code-swapping star Sonny Bill Williams was reduced to tears after his Kiwi team-mates performed an impromptu haka to show him respect at being named the world's best rugby league player.(SBW also thinks it s funny!)

Scooping the award marked a sensational return to the 13-man code after a five-year absence during which he played 19 Tests for the All Blacks to help them win the 2011 World Cup and also became New Zealand's heavyweight champion.(Man that means zip and its a bit embarassing to sbw to mention it)

"I was a little bit teary up there, just seeing the brothers get up and show that respect (I am sure sbw is just being politically correct re the hahahaka as he probably will switch codes again if he can squeeze out enough cash from the brothers)," said Williams, who is an integral part of the Kiwi team that will bid to defend their Rugby League World Cup title against Australia on Saturday.

"I wouldn't say I was a world star but I've been very blessed to have been in quite a few amazing teams with some amazing players and amazing coaches.(Its all amazing for ou sbw - someone must tell him English has more words than amazing)

"It's just been a blessed year, thank God. I accept this award on behalf of my team-mates that have put me in a position to play well, coaches and of course my family."

He added: "Hopefully, like I said to them straight away, I said, one more week, and hopefully I can put in another strong performance for the brothers and hopefully we can do it for the Kiwis."(What is this differentiation between brothers and kiwis?)

Williams' initial departure from the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs for Toulon in the French Top 14 was smeared in controversy, and the Sydney Roosters second-rower's reputation went into a nosedive in Australia and New Zealand.

He said his return to league had been all about earning that respect which he had lost.

"I wasn't really teary until I saw the boys do the haka. That means the world to me. All I want is respect and I felt after the way I left the game I lost a lot of respect," Williams told New Zealand's ONE news. (If you want respect give up boxing for one thing!)

"But this year just the way I tried to carry myself, I just tried to get across the real me, and I felt like I earned a lot of respect.(Man what an obsession we have here - desparate for respect. (Hmmmmmm is this only a sbw obsession or does it have a wider kiwi application?)

"But the biggest thing for me was earning the respect of my fellow players and coaches and I think that was why I was a little bit emotional."

The 28-year-old Muslim is the first Kiwi to win the International Player of the Year award, which has been won by Australian players since its inception in 2008 - Billy Slater (2008, 2011), Jarryd Hayne (2009), Todd Carney (2010) and Cameron Smith (2012). (Once again the Ozzies dominating the kiwis?)

He beat off competition from Kangaroos star Greg Inglis and Scotland playmaker Danny Brough to win the award.

"I probably haven't won a lot of awards but definitely it's always nice to be recognised, and such a massive award like this - I was quite shocked, to be honest, but it was just a nice feeling to be recognised," Williams said.

But looming on the weekend is the final against Australia at Old Trafford, Williams saying: "I'd give every award back in a heartbeat just to get across the line this weekend."
What a noble beast!

Beeno: how's your haka practice going mate? Last time I checked you & your mates were wearing leotards - not really in the spirit of the Haka beeno.

 JW I am not into performing low brow comedy so the hahahhaka is something I shall never attempt. The essence of why the hakak is so funny is that those doing it have no idea! Hahahahahahaha sidesplitting stuff.
Time Boks did a Zulu war dance and repaid the kiwis for all the mirth they have provided over the years. But guess Boks are too adult for that.

Beeno: I noticed sometime ago that those that appreciate the haka have high testosterone levels (real men & also the women that like real men, e,g our beloved Cloudy).  Might be time to hit the gym & start pumping some serious iron mate.
Let us know as soon as your appreciation levels are up & then we will know all is well,
JW helping whenever he can