The Sonny Bill Williams story is essentially this: H umble Samoan boy
makes good in NRL and signs a multi-million dollar four-year contract
with the Bulldogs.
When he doesn't feel the Bulldogs are listening to him or treating
him right, he walks out and goes to pay rugby for Toulon (taking a
massive pay cut). He also had to buy his way out of the Bulldogs
contract for several hundred thousand dollars.
He starts to play good rugby and Toulon want to keep him, offering
him a massive multi-million dollar deal to stay. However he leaves to
play rugby in New Zealand, his goal to make the All Blacks (another
massive pay cut).
While still in France he does a handshake deal with the CEO of the
Roosters, saying he will play for them in the NRL once his restraint of
trade with the Bulldogs ends.
He makes the All Blacks on merit and plays a bit part at the 2011
World Cup. The following year he finally comes into his own as a rugby
player, becoming the starting second five-eighth for the All Blacks. He
also helps the previously inconsistent Chiefs win their first Super
rugby title.
At the end of this year he honours his handshake deal with the
Roosters and returns to play for them in the NRL. Their roster is
almost full, so to fit under the salary cap he has to take the lowest
paid position on the roster - another massive pay cut. On the way he
helps the bank balance by playing a few games in Japan for big money.
Somehow, despite all these massive pay-cuts, he earns the nickname
Money-Bill Williams - perhaps the most undeserved moniker in the history
of nicknames.
SBW is still the same humble Samoan boy who left New Zealand and
remains devoted to his family, many of whom live with him in Sydney. He
shuns the limelight.
It's no coincidence that his work ethic and commitment to his teams
led to his first seasons at the Chiefs and the Roosters ending in
titles. Neither of these teams were rated as title hopefuls until he
arrived and his influence rubbed off on other players, all of whom
credit him with the change in their attitudes.
Now he's coming back to New Zealand rugby and I could not be
happier. This once-in-a-generation player with a huge work ethic and
ability to raise the standard of players around him, can only be good
for the All Blacks and every other team he plays for.
If exceptions should be made for anyone, they should be made for
SBW. His poor decisions in the past are behind him and he could be the
difference between the All Blacks winning or losing at next year's world
cup. His ability to draw players and offload could also be the
difference in winning gold at the Rio Olympics.
Forget bringing back Buck, bring back Sonny Bill... and soon.
