Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams has been granted a special exemption to be picked for the All Blacks’ end of year tour.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew confirmed on Monday Williams would not need to play in the National Provincial Championship following his commitments with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
NZRU rules state that players must take part in the preceding domestic competition in order to be eligible for the All Blacks.
However, the board voted on Friday to make an exemption for Williams should he not be able to make an appearance for Counties-Manukau either due to the length of the Roosters season, or injury.
Stuff NZ
If that’s the case, his selection for the tour of the United States and Europe in November will be left to the discretion of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
Tew stressed the exemption may not be necessary.
“It is still expected he will play ITM Cup rugby, but that is dependent on how the Roosters do in the NRL, and if you ask Warriors fans they would say they are doing quite well,” he said in reference to the Roosters 46-12 weekend win over the Auckland NRL club.
“The board were asked on Friday what they were comfortable with in terms of how many games he had to play to tick the [All Blacks eligibility] box.
“The board were of the view, which we completely concur with, that we have made a big investment in Sonny Bill Williams and if the coaches believe we get the most out of that investment by taking him on the tour in November then they should have the discretion to do so.
“There were a number of unknowns around the situation which made it sensible to leave some flexibility.
“That’s entirely in the hands of the All Blacks coaches and Sonny Bill himself because he will have to make an assessment about whether touring at the end of the year is the best thing for him or not depending on how the [Roosters] season pans out from here.
“If he were not to play [for Counties Manukau] the board have the discretion to allow him not to play and they have exercised that discretion in advance, but it is still anticipated he will play ITM Cup because we think that will be of benefit to him anyway.”
The Roosters season could finish as early as September 4, but if they reach the NRL grand final it could be as late as 5 October.
That could potentially leave Williams with just one week to cram in a game for the Steelers, who play Auckland in Pukekohe on October 8 and Tasman four days later in Blenheim.
Tew noted that Williams does meet the NZRU’s other All Blacks eligibility criteria.
“You have to be contracted, you have to have shown the commitment to be in New Zealand going forward, and you have to play in a competition preceding the tour to be eligible.
“He clearly ticks the first two boxes because he will live in New Zealand in 2015-16 and he is contracted to this organisation for that period of time.”
It would not be the first time the NZRU have used their discretion to waive the requirement to select a player returning from off shore with Luke McAlister selected in similar circumstances 2009 after returning from Europe.
Will be great to see him back in Union.
Watch the Chiefs in next year’s SR, they are going to be hard to handle
Sbw…. a decent addition to the Abs…no problem with him getting an exemption… think he adds value.
Lol Special exemption to play on the bench, Adidas will be delighted.
@ MacroBok:
Even if he spends most of his time riding the pine, it will be a worthwhile exercise imo…getting him up to speed and back in the Ab environment … He will play a huge part in 2015 and may well be the difference… Abs will need him if they play England next year to combat the beast of a man that is Sam Burgess, that’s if Surgess makes it, but I think he will.
@ Te Rangatira:
As great a player SBW is, he is still a risky player, how long did he spend on the field in the RWC final last time around? The All Blacks do not need him… but he sure is a great PR rep, he will do all the magazines and interviews while the real men play, Crotty, Nonu, Smith, Folatau, Carter…
The All Blacks do not need him, but guys like Adidas absolutely love having him around, like in 2011.
5 @ MacroBok:
I respectfully disagree with you on this point, if you google the words “ultimate professional” I’m sure a picture of SBW will pop up.
This guy truly is a consummate pro. There is no way he will be like Fransie and return out of shape and need a year to get back up to spreed.
He will slot in as if he was never away.
I would give just about everything for the Bokke to have a similar player to be able to select.
The AB’s may be spoilt for choice, but he will play himself into the starting team in no time
@ MacroBok:
Really…I don’t think he is risky at all…if anything he lifts the players around him. Wait till he is outside Cruden again and see Cruden come to the fore…. The Boks should get with the program cos once they hit Surgess or Sbw, could be all over… 😆
@ nortierd:
@ Te Rangatira:
Look, he is a fantastic sportsman, and an incredible footballer, and it is likely that he could get into the starting team and do well… but he is also being fast tracked for reasons other than rugby as there is incredible hype that follows him around.
He would be wasted at the Boks though, it is pointless having a player like this in South Africa when he would have no support runners to offload to 😀
Didn’t Cruden come to the fore this past weekend? 😀
@ MacroBok:
Yes Cruden did very well this weekend albeit behind a dominant pack…. he will have greater confidence imo with Sbw there and the if pack isn’t doing so well….
Sure Sbw is a marketing dream, but like Nortie said he is the ultimate professional and he knows how to handle those commitments and play to the best of his ability….
@ Te Rangatira:
Yep the only difference between an excellent flyhalf and the rest is who can dictate behind a dominant pack, The Wilkos, Carters, Larkhams, Bothas all had ridiculous forward packs and they won… behind a losing pack you have no chance. (Quade Cooper case and point).
I like SBW, but Nonu is 12 even if he is an oldie.
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