Sonny Bill Williams News + Progress in ITM Cup

[Dizzy]

I agree with all you have said EXCEPT the wrapping in cotton wool part ... yes, they need to be carefully managed so that they don't get over-played, but they also need game time as well to avoid what happened to the AB's in 2007.

We also need viable mid field back ups to cover for injuries - we only need to look at 2003 to see what happened when Tana was injured.

You can understand how shattered I was when this happened. And then in the quarter finals he was cleared and could play but baldhead Mitchell wouldn't play him.

And our problem [new zealands problem] come world cup time is our centres.
When it comes to world cup we always try to put our fullback at centre... If you don't believe me, go through the history and see for yourself who was playing centre at world cup time, it was our usual fullback.

 

[Shaggy]

You can understand how shattered I was when this happened. And then in the quarter finals he was cleared and could play but baldhead Mitchell wouldn't play him.

And our problem [new zealands problem] come world cup time is our centres.
When it comes to world cup we always try to put our fullback at centre... If you don't believe me, go through the history and see for yourself who was playing centre at world cup time, it was our usual fullback.

Yep, I believe you that full backs have been played at centre in the RWC, but I believe that it's more a case of players playing out of position and lack of match play for the backup players ... it could apply to any position (not just centre)

 

[Ninja]

Sonny Bill is playing as Centre this week, Ryan Crotty in at Second five-eighth and Fruen on the bench...

http://www.canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/canterbury-team-to-play-otago/200/news.aspx

 

[Shaggy]

Sonny Bill is playing as Centre this week, Ryan Crotty in at Second five-eighth and Fruen on the bench...

http://www.canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/canterbury-team-to-play-otago/200/news.aspx

Interesting move - I guess seen as how Fruean has played every minute of every game in the ITM, he's due for a rest as suggested in the article

... I wonder if he'll come on at half time like SBW did in the last game

 

[Darwin]

Sonny Bill is playing as Centre this week, Ryan Crotty in at Second five-eighth and Fruen on the bench...

http://www.canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/canterbury-team-to-play-otago/200/news.aspx

Good to see SBW will be given a go at centre - it will certainly add to his credentials if he proves he is capable of playing at 13 as well as at 12. I'm not surprised they are giving Fruean a rest - I was actually expecting to see SBW at 12 with Crotty at 13 for this game, but I do think Crotty at 12 and SBW at 13 will actually work better.

 

[ranger]

Good to see SBW will be given a go at centre - it will certainly add to his credentials if he proves he is capable of playing at 13 as well as at 12. I'm not surprised they are giving Fruean a rest - I was actually expecting to see SBW at 12 with Crotty at 13 for this game, but I do think Crotty at 12 and SBW at 13 will actually work better.

Well this just confirms my suspicions that Rob Penney is just trying to rotate all his players to get gametime. I was ****** off when i read the headline "Sonny Bill made to pay for his defensive frailties" last weekend, as if he was being dropped for having a shocker. Then you had everyone using that bullshit article as proof that SBW had failed.. i wish we had some decent reporters in this country.

 

[Darwin]

Well this just confirms my suspicions that Rob Penney is just trying to rotate all his players to get gametime. I was ****** off when i read the headline "Sonny Bill made to pay for his defensive frailties" last weekend, as if he was being dropped for having a shocker. Then you had everyone using that bullshit article as proof that SBW had failed.. i wish we had some decent reporters in this country.

Yeah, the midfield rotation does make sense. It gives SBW and Fruean a chance to have a rest, and gives Crotty some gametime - in the (likely) event that either (or both) of Fruean and SBW get selected by the AB's, Penney is going to rely on Crotty in the midfield.

 

[Dizzy]

Great move for Sonny Bill.. I can see him putting his wingers into some ultra space

 

[Sam Owen]

I'm sure Ryan will be looking to have a big game this week and I hope he goes well. He's a good player and I'd hate to see him fade out into the shadows of Robbie and Sonny.

Let go Ryan!!

Sonny at centre this week will be interesting.

 

[Dizzy]

Maybe SBW will become the new Tana Umaga. Ya never know.

 

[Sam Owen]

Maybe SBW will become the new Tana Umaga. Ya never know.

Very possible as Williams like Nonu are follwing in Tanas footsteps, sort of.

 

[woodward]

good step and ridiculous offload to spark canterbury's first try almost set up another

 

[Shaggy]

good step and ridiculous offload to spark canterbury's first try almost set up another

This game against Otago is his best so far IMO ... probably put him into the end of year AB tour ... Colin Slade on the other hand ...

 

[Sam Owen]

Crotty, Parker, Maitland, Crockett, Veinuu and Williams played well and so did Otago. Good game.

 

[Ninja]

Otago played very well. I thought it was going to be a walk over but they did step up...

SBW had a great game, impeccable offloads and epic 60m try!

Slade gifted Otago 14 points, but other than that he had a great game, especially his kicking.

 

[woodward]

whats with all the Crotty man love sam?
I thought Williams was brilliant, I was cringing at first watching the offloads thinking now surely hes thrown one too many but I'm pretty sure every one came off and probably all of them created opportunities. His distribution wasn't as evident as in his games at 12 which is probably a good thing he took the line on more, showing different styles of play. I didn't see his game breaking try (second in a row) but his attack was awesome, it seems like he treats it like league attacking plays, the way he takes it to the line but completely aware of supporting runners and gaps and looking to make something happen until the last minute and after. He could also go into contact and keep possession when a bit isolated. Was probably responsible for Otago's equalising try as there was a massive gap inside him. Was already going on eoyt imo, if Henry doesn't muck him round in the forwards he will take Nonu's spot by WC time, you heard it here... first?

 

[Ninja]

Was already going on eoyt imo, if Henry doesn't muck him round in the forwards he will take Nonu's spot by WC time, you heard it here... first?

Ted has already confirmed his selection for the EOYT.

 

[woodward]

That's what I thought

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Ted?

 

[woodward]

... Graham Henry