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SBW and Tana Umaga join League team

Former All Black captain Tana Umaga and renegade Kiwi star Sonny Bill Williams have visited the Kiwi Rugby League team to assist with preparation for tonight’s Four Nations game against France.

Williams and Umaga, now with the Toulon rugby club, made the 370 km drive to Toulouse to dine with the Kiwis on Tuesday night, with New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney saying: “It was nice to have them here – they gave the lads a bit of an idea of French culture and it was good to have them back.”

But Williams’ plans to watch the game live at the Stade Ernest Wallon were stymied by Toulon’s fixture list: they play three hours earlier against Bayonne and Kearney said he didn’t ask him if he planned to return to league.

Having named a full-strength team himself, on the eve of the match, Kearney had no idea of the French line-up, and was asking journalists if they knew.

But French coach Bobbie Goulding said he’d been granted an extension beyond the 48-hour deadline to supply a side because of an injury crisis which left him with just 18 fit players at training.

Goulding gave late calls to two Kiwi-born players – Andrew Bentley, brother of French hooker Kane, who has been in France since he was five, and 31-year-old former Mt Albert and New Zealand Maori backrow Artie Shead, who has played in France on and off since 1999.

Sebastian Raguin, Jean-Phillipe Baile and Cyril Gossard are all out of the side with injury; David Ferriol is suspended.

“I certainly have a fair idea on who they will pick going on last week’s game,” said Kearney. [halfback Thomas] Bosc and [fullback Clint] Greenshields are dangerous players and their two wingers are handy too. Their pack is very big and we’re prepared for a physical challenge.”

The Kiwis were only due their first training run at the Stade Ernest Wallon, home of the Toulouse rugby club, at 4pm on the eve of the game, although that didn’t bother

Kearney. He had a slightly disrupted week, with a delayed flight and then difficulty with driving the team coach up the winding roads to the team hotel on the picturesque Place du Capitol. But he was unruffled, and had given the players Thursday off to explore either the city or the nearby historic town of Carcassonne:

“I’ve encouraged the players to appreciate the challenges [of being in France].”

Unlike Australia, who want to see whistler Steve Ganson before they play England, Kearney wasn’t seeking a pre-match meeting with referee Shayne Hayne, and nominated him as the best man for the job when the Kiwis play England next weekend.

And he also deadbatted the remarkable comments of Australian centre Jarryd Hayne, who claimed England would be ready to throw that game if it meant the Australians, not the Kiwis, would qualify for the Four Nations”I don’t want to comment on that, it would make him look bad – put it that way,” said Kearney.

With temperatures above 20 degrees all week here, tonight’s game will be played on a fast, dry pitch in good weather.

Sonny Bill Boxing Result – Victory

Sonny Bill Williams has successfully debuted in the boxing ring, defeating Gary Gurr in possibly the mismatch of the century. The man some call ‘Money Bill’ took only 1.5 rounds to destroy Gurr, who was also taking part in his first ever boxing fight.

Sonny Bill was cautious initially as Gurr was throwing haymakers left and right, but about half way through the first round, SBW found his confidence and tapped Gurr with several big bombs.

Gurr was instantly dazed and looked like a blind man running around lost.

SBW was possibly told to hold back and not destroy his opponent too quickly, as he looked like he took the foot off the gas as Gurr struggled to regain composure.

But it didn’t last long Sonny Bill Williams unleashing a furious flurry of punches that sent Gurr crashing to the canvas. It was the carnvial style Boxing card that Anthony Mundine continues to promote.

No doubt that SBW was thrown a lamb, it was a massive mismatch and didn’t live up to the hype.

But honestly, Mundie is the master of these events. He can pack a stadium to watch the fight, he can cram them into pubs. He knows what people want and he continues to make millions out of people disliking him.

Jerry Collins joins Sonny Bill Williams at Barbarians Rugby

Prominent Rugby and Former NRL star Sonny-Bill Williams will now have a partner beside him in his Barbarians tour of Australia in the months ahead.

Today it was announced that SBW’s Toulon teammate Jerry Collins will also be invited to take part in the Barbarians Rugby Side to tour Australia and face the Wallabies.

Hardman and former Kiwi Allblack Collins was only 1 of the 3 other internationals that were picked for the Barbarians side – for the much anticipated clash in Australia.

The side will be coached by David Young from Wales and features the likes of Martin Corry and French rake Sebastien Bruno.

Talented and playing out of the backrow, Collins hasn’t played an international since the 2007 World Cup – soon after this he left the country to join good friend Tana Umaga, in the hope of greater success at the lowly ranked Toulon Rugby Club in France.

The former NRL star and Bulldogs walk-out – Williams has had his injury problems and taken some time to settle into rugby with Toulon which has ultimately seen coach Umaga forced out of retirement to join his troops on the Rugby field.

It’s a similar story to Collins for Pommy – Corry who also played his last Test at the 2007 World Cup, he was a member of the 2003 Cup winning team for England.

Bruno, under terms to English club Sale, has turned out for 20 Tests for France in the past decade of top line Rugby.

Toulon could extend Sonny Bill Williams stay

Toulon Rugby Boss Mourad Boudjellal has said that the French club is close to extending a new agreement to former NRL star Sonny Bill Williams in the near future.

After getting together on Monday earlier this week, Mourad and SBW’s agent (Khoder Nasser) have agreed to financial terms – but just need to sign on the dotted line regarding the length of the deal.

Surprisingly Sonny Bill Williams is still only 23 years old – and remains a popular figure within Rugby ranks worldwide. The former NRL player sparked a media frenzy last year when he walked out on a binding contract mid-season to switch codes. Hiding in Europe, it was left to SBW supporters in Australia to strike a deal – avoiding any legal action.

Rugby Club Toulon hopes Williams can stay for another 3 years, but it’s believed Sonny Bill only wants a 2 year deal. After being injured early on in his Toulon career, SBW has been improving and will be delighted to get an offer after initially fearing the move was a poor one.

The powerful Boudjellal is confident SBW will stay.

“Unless there is a huge offer from elsewhere, Sonny Bill Williams will stay at Toulon,” Boudjellal said.

“The meeting was positive and I hope the new deal will be signed next Monday.”

New Toulon sporting director Philippe Saint-Andre will help oversee the deal, Saint-Andrew believed to be a big part of player decisions moving forward.

Saint-Andre, only kicking off his senior position with the Toulon Rugby Club on July 1.

Toulon has started another strong recruitment drive for next season, with plenty of money to burn and improvement to be had.

Argentine internationals Felipe Contepomi (Leinster) and Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe (Sale), England’s Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle) and Joe El Abd (Bristol) and Scottish brothers Sean (Northampton) and Rory Lamont (Sale) are all on Toulon’s wish-list.

Toulon is struggling in a poor 11th place in the 14-team French Rugby Competition.

Coach and former All Black great Tana Umaga came out of retirement in February in a bid to save the side from relegation and Toulon currently is 5 points away from the relegation zone with 7 games remaining.

Sonny Bill Williams Boxing Debut

Controversial former NRL Rugby League player Sonny Bill Williams will apparently try his luck in the boxing ring, agreeing to join the undercard to Anthony Mundine’s next major fight night.

Apparently swayed by Mundine’s KO To Drugs promotion, Sonny Bill Williams will provide massive exposure for the event and will certainly put bums on seats. Reports suggested that Mundine had financially helped Sonny Bill in the past, so this could be a case of repaying the debt to his ‘brother’.

After agreeing to the stunt, SBW has apparently been working hard in a French boxing gym, to prepare for the event.

The now Rugby Union player made big headlines earlier this month when he agreed to play with the Rugby Barbarians side – returning to Australia to face the music and the Wallabies.

The Mundine fight night is a world title event, which will take play in May – with the opponent set to be Australias IBO middleweight champion Daniel Geale.

SBW’s involvement will certainly make this a massive event, PayTV sales will soar and apart from bums on seats – pubs and clubs around Australia will be jammed. Many will be hoping that Sonny Bill gets some curry served up to him, much in the same way Mundine has made an artform or making people dislike him. The move while frustrating has made the resident of St George a very rich man.

Williams took part in a previous Mundine KO to Drugs event last year;  the event also joined by infamous AFL man Ben Cousins and Olympian Nova Batman (nee Peris) to support the cause.

Things have been tricky for the man once crowned the King of Rugby League; Sonny Bill after moving to Toulon has incurred more injury woes. Injuries have always been his curse, not allowing him to achieve full potential. On top of that, consistently bad results have the pressure on him and coach Tana Umaga.

The Toulon Rugby side currently idling in 11th position in the Major 14 series and have 6 outings left before the season ends on May 16.

SBW – Australias Most Hated

What kind of impact will the return of Sonny Bill Williams have in Australia?

Sonny Bill Williams’ upcoming return to Australia for a Barbarians match has created massive media and fan interest in Australia. With most NRL (Rugby League) fans along with the extended community ‘hating’ on Sonny Bill for walking out on a contract, how much heat will he feel in his old town?

Two extreme sides have countered blow for blow this week in a debate that has clearly enraged the lucky nation.

Rightfully, some reckon they should just get over it but the other half of the 400 messages posted on the Daily Telegraph illustrate exactly why he is more hated than the Bali bombers.

Here is an extreme example, but I warn read with caution: (This was printed on the tvnz.co.nz website)

“I am a Bulldogs Fan to the death and i am willing to put up my 2004 signed grand-final bulldogs jersey for anybody willing to shoot SBW in the head. I will give an un-signed 1 for just a “body shot”, SBW is a dog and would sell out his own family for the right price.” – Christopher. J

Certainly a very scary prospect that people will even threaten this kind of thing; no doubt security at the Australian Rugby Union fixture will need to be extremely tight.

Sonny Bill in Barbarians Rugby Side

Sonny Bill Williams’s inclusion in the UK-based invitational side has raised the hackles of many in the league community, who haven’t forgotten the former Bulldogs star walking out on his club mid-contract last year to join French rugby club Toulon.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill happily agrees Williams would put “bums on seats”, though he denied the move was a publicity stunt or an insult to league.

Bulldogs counterpart Todd Greenberg disagreed, however, saying that sports fans had “long memories”.

Former league stars Tom Raudonikis and Steve Roach were less diplomatic, saying the game should be boycotted.

“All Sydney sports fans should boycott the event. I reckon it’s just a publicity stunt because the match is only three days after Origin I. I just don’t rate Williams as a person. I would hate to be alongside this bloke in the trenches.”

Roach added: “Only his family will go to the match. He has dudded everyone else. People won’t forget how he left the Bulldogs.”

Greenberg said that sports fans would be aware of Williams’s unsporting departure.

“The Australian public are discerning and perceptive,” he said. “I’ve no doubt they’ll judge SBW for the decision he made.”

O’Neill said there was no intention to insult the NRL or steal the limelight of its season or major events.

“Will he put bums on seats? I suspect he will. Would I be happy about that? Yes, I would,” O’Neill said.

“We weren’t involved whatsoever in his defection. It happened and it’s been settled legally, and he’s free to play. We’re keen to see him play, and if he adds to the lustre, so be it.”

Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri, meanwhile, welcomed the news of Williams’s projected return to Australia.

“It’s great that he has the chance to come back and play in Australia,” Tuqiri said.

“I applaud him and applaud the organisers for getting him. He will certainly draw some attention to the occasion.”

Sonny Bill Williams and Tana Umaga Toulon Dramas Continue

SONNY Bill Williams’ problems in Toulon, France continue. With Tana Umaga now playing a captain coach role with the club (the former All-Black donning the Rugby Union boots for the first time in several years) if things don’t improve quickly, the Toulon side will be relegated to lower Rugby divisions and surely Umaga and Williams would be shown the door.

The former NRL and Bulldogs player, Sonny Bill Williams has been closely watched from afar as he tries to make a successful transition to Rugby Union. However, it seems his on-going injuries (as they were in his NRL days) are causing problems and so is the performance of his team Toulon who simply cannot beat anyone at this stage.

A second season for Sonny Bill Williams seems very unlikely at Toulon.

The side; Toulon is genuinely a chance of dropping a division.

Tana Umaga was crucial in switching Sonny Bill Williams from Australian NRL across to Rugby in France; apart from Anthony Mundine and Khoder Nasser; Umaga was the ‘Father’ in waiting for SBW to ensure his smooth transition.

So if Umaga goes, certainly SBW will go too.

New ‘advisor’ to coaching at Toulon Philippe Saint-Andre will keep the pressure on all parties at the Rugby Union club in turmoil.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is a hardliner and only wants the best for his club. He will not deal with losing and will push the boundaries to ensure victory for his people and club. Umaga and Sonny Bill need to ship up or face massive pressure it seems.

Super 14 Rugby Union could be on the cards for Sonny Bill Williams of Umaga it seems in the mid term.

Boudjellal has said he has a secret list of players he no longer wants the Toulon Rugby Union team.

Boudjellal is said to be very disappointed with the expensive international Rugby Union players in his team and wants to bring a more French flavour back to the side.

Sonny Bill still homesick in Toulon

There are remaining rumours that Sonny Bill Williams is still upset at his treatment by Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

One source said: “The guy is a tyrant who is giving Sonny Bill hell.”

Williams is out injured at the moment with a leg problem.

Some senior insiders at the Bulldogs would be prepared to accept Williams back – but others are vehemently against his return.

Bulldogs fans would also have to be pacified after Williams’ walk-out.

Nasser would be encouraging Williams to remain in France, given that his partner Anthony Mundine paid the Bulldogs $750,000 compensation.

“He would have to try and repair the irreparable,” the source said.

The NRL has banned Williams from playing league but the Bulldogs believe, if the situation arose, they could persuade the game’s hierarchy to reverse that decision.

“I have heard the rumours and I’m not surprised,” Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said last night. “Sonny Bill made his choice a couple of months ago. The club has moved on since then.

“It’s common knowledge he can’t play in the NRL with any other club than us prior to 2013.”

Bulldogs chairman George Peponis was yesterday aware of talk that Williams may want to return.

Shocked Bulldogs players were furious and unforgiving when Williams walked out in late June.

Publicly, they claimed they were still friends with Williams. Privately, they told of their anger at what their former teammate had done.

Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan said Williams would have a lot of wounds to heal if he ever returned to the NRL.

“It would take a lot,” Ryan said bluntly at the time.

“He’s hurt a lot of us.

“We’ll cross that bridge if we ever come to it, but we’ll see.”

Ron Massey: SBW a Disgrace

Massey spoke fondly about the “old days” when teammates meant as much to each other as family. How “five to 10″ of the current Kangaroos squad would go on to become legends of the game. That Sonny Bill Williams was a “disgrace” for leaving his teammates in the lurch. How his biggest fear is that today’s players value money over friendship. But mainly he spoke of the brotherhood that rugby league players share.

“Rugby league is about playing for your mate and your team and your coach,” Massey said.

His sentiments are shared by Brian McClennan, the coach who orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history – the Kiwis’ 24-0 win over Australia in the 2005 Tri-Nations final in Leeds. A year later, he almost repeated the dose in Sydney, only to be thwarted by a piece of Johnathan Thurston magic in golden-point extra-time.

The affable Kiwi gave an insight into just how courageous his injury-ravaged side was the night it pushed the Kangaroos to the limit.

“There were a lot more people down [injured] than people realise,” he said. “Motu [Tony] was concussed even before he got knocked out by [Willie] Mason. We tried to get a message out to go for the drop goal but he didn’t even know what was going on.

“Nigel Vagana was trying to pull Frank Pritchard’s arm back into its socket. Then the bloke who went on the field, Nathan Cayless, he went down just before extra time. The trainer went up to ask him if he was all right. He said, ‘Yep, I’m ready to go back on, mate’ [even though he was already on the field].

“It was pretty brave.”

Now Wayne Bennett, the man whose Australian side was outplayed in Leeds three years ago, is charged with recreating that bond of brotherhood – for the Kiwis.

Bennett, the assistant coach, gave them his first big post-match speech after their Anzac Test loss this year. His message was simple: “We can’t keep treating Australia as an older brother. We need to treat them as equals.”

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