Sonny Bill Williams News + Progress in ITM Cup

[jawmalawm24]

If he does anything any other player does he gets awarded for it with praise. I watched his game last night and I'm not a big fan like most people I know, I only like him because of what I've heard when he was playing Nrl. Anyway he did play a alright game but it wasn't anything spectacular.

Me and my dad were watching it and he was cracking me up because anytime SBW got the ball he had something to say like oh did you see that offload magnificient. I'm like you know just 2 passes before he got it Isaac Ross did the exact same thing and you aint say nothing. He has huge entertainment value but if I was picking someone to go to the EOYT my first pick would be Fruean way before SBW.

 

[Sam Owen]

I havent seen the game but what I've heard from EVERYBODY is SBW is here. Pleased to hear that he's played well again and hope it continues. As for him playing in the ABs, I dont know. I cant wait to catch the replay of his game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Me and my dad were watching it and he was cracking me up because anytime SBW got the ball he had something to say like oh did you see that offload magnificient. I'm like you know just 2 passes before he got it Isaac Ross did the exact same thing and you aint say nothing. He has huge entertainment value but if I was picking someone to go to the EOYT my first pick would be Fruean way before SBW.

Ah, I've been expecting that.
He's been hyped up so much by everybody, that they don't want to feel let down when he's an average player, so make him out to be something he's not/is playing spectacularly.

 

[nickdnz]

Ah, I've been expecting that.
He's been hyped up so much by everybody, that they don't want to feel let down when he's an average player, so make him out to be something he's not/is playing spectacularly.

Yeah, I mentioned that earlier. When there is hype sorrounding a player, especially if they're exciting and new, then everything they do alright is done wonderfully and everything they do wrong is ignored or excused because if inexperience.

As it is I think he did have a pretty good game. Moments of class followed by a few cringe moments. Overall not bad.
For people who want to see the highlights of the game and SBW -

 

[Sam Owen]

Thanks nick for the footage otherwise I would have to wait til goodness knows when sky plays the replay. Some good touches from SBW, well actually some off loads of the highest quality to make the Cantab's look super slick. You can tell that his teammates respect and enjoy his attack as they give him good support for him to be able to flick out an off-load. So good stuff from Sonny.

However maybe not ready for ABs jersey just yet. Havent seen other parts of his game yet, we all know he use to smash big forwards in League but yet to see that in union. Hopefully we see him doing some big hits on a regular and then I think he'll be ready for internationals beacuse he is a hitman.

 

[Teh Mite]

Are Northland actually any good? I ask because that defence was absoloutely appalling for all 3 of those 1st half Canterbury tries. Fair play the offloads were good, but no way in a million years will he have it that easy again.

 

[nickdnz]

Are Northland actually any good? I ask because that defence was absoloutely appalling for all 3 of those 1st half Canterbury tries. Fair play the offloads were good, but no way in a million years will he have it that easy again.

They're a good attacking team, with David Holwell directing a backine with Jared Payne and Rene Ranger. They're coming 8th on the table I think.

 

[gingergenius]

in fairness, those highlights make sonny bill look pretty ******* awesome. offloading and rugby brain looks world class. Don't know what else he did in the game though, but add that to the try saver on Masaga and he's had a fair few key moments fora just 2 appearances.

Having said that, considering that Nonu and Smith are, at the moment, so far ahead of anyone else in the world in the centres, plus the likes of Stanley, Ranger, and Toeava are all capped ABs, plus the fact that Fruean looks absolutely amazing, SBW's gonna have to be ****-hot in the Super 15 just to get involved with the ABs next summer.

 

[durbutter]

in fairness, those highlights make sonny bill look pretty ******* awesome. offloading and rugby brain looks world class. Don't know what else he did in the game though, but add that to the try saver on Masaga and he's had a fair few key moments fora just 2 appearances.

Having said that, considering that Nonu and Smith are, at the moment, so far ahead of anyone else in the world in the centres, plus the likes of Stanley, Ranger, and Toeava are all capped ABs, plus the fact that Fruean looks absolutely amazing, SBW's gonna have to be ****-hot in the Super 15 just to get involved with the ABs next summer.

great summation of the whole thing. +1 for you sir.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well, after I saw these highlights I think he will manage to get into the squad.
If he keeps on playing at this level he might got a shot for the EOYT if he confirms during the S15 he might get into the squad as Stanley didn't have that much game time so far.
Would be cool if he made it.

 

[Dizzy]

Sonny Bill has a blinder against the Taniwhas

Sonny Bill was awesome in this game, his ball skills are great and he was involved in three tries. Give him a go in the end of year tour and I think he will be great. His strength is superb and his ability to free up the ball whilst being mauled by a couple players is amazing.

Great game to watch I see why the AB's should be interested in him.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope he does tour at the end of the year, as i'd much rather England go against him than Nonu

 

[durbutter]

this thread will go downhill very quickly.......

 

[woodward]

only if NH posters with chips on their shoulder post more. Otherwise we could discuss the merits of is play and how good hes getting after a couple games of real rugby

 

[Dizzy]

Well SBW has certainly shown his potential in his most recent game for Canterbury, showing exactly why he is a prospect for a black jersey. If he is taken under the wing of Graham Henry I am more than certain that he will be further developed as a player and his skill will only improve.

 

[woodward]

not sure if posters outside NZ realise Stanley was just about the only 12 in the country fit at the time of his selection and that he wouldn't have had a look in otherwise, solid is the only praise you could give him

 

[Dizzy]

yeah Stanley is really not someone who i'd pick to be an All Black again.

 

[jawmalawm24]

He certainly has potential but on current form he's nothing spectacular. Robert Fruean is beastin on everyone but Sonny Bills getting more credit because of his rep. I like Sonny Bill but people are too starstruck to see that hes playing just above average. I like what nz commentator Ken Labben said during the game when Sonny Bill got smashed something like "first time someones tackle him instead of worrying about asking for his autograph" haha.

I really hope he does make the tour but on form not on reputation. Players I'd pick before him would be the likes of Fruean, Ranger and if we're talking about people to take centre positions I'd probably pick Jarod Payne on current form he's carving up. All of these boys have had Super Rugby experience where Sonny Bill hasn't. Last player from recent memory that played NPC level straight to All Blacks was Jason Eaton but he was wasting everyone scoring tries, chasing down wingers and killing it in the lineouts.

 

[nickdnz]

I just merged the Sonny Bill Williams threads. A new thread doesn't need to be made for every game he's in. Just keep it organised. I agree with jawmalawm24 btw.

 

[Teh Mite]

only if NH posters with chips on their shoulder post more. Otherwise we could discuss the merits of is play and how good hes getting after a couple games of real rugby

I'm sorry, who's the c*nt with a chip on his shoulder now?