Knasser says SBW skipping 9's

[Guest]

Brad Fittler's anticipation of having Sonny Bill Williams alongside him for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL Auckland Nines appears forlorn.

Williams' manager Khoder Nasser has told TVNZ that the dual international won't be lining up in the two-day tournament next month.

Nasser was commenting on Wednesday after former Kangaroos skipper Fittler, making a comeback at the age of 41, told Sky's Big Sports Breakfast he would be looking to Williams to compensate for his own defensive frailties.

"He'll be defending on my side," Fittler said.

With Williams eyeing off a spot in the New Zealand side at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where rugby union sevens will make its Games debut, the nine-a-side rugby league tournament was seen as an opportunity to provide valuable experience for the two-time NRL premiership winner.
http://www.nrl.com/manager-says-sbw-...3/default.aspx

[Rooster_6]

Freddy said as much last night also.

"I think you got my wishful thinking and reality mixed up."

[Warhorse]

Good idea for him not to play. If he got hurt playing 9s we'd all be up in arms as to why and who let him play.
Keep him fresh for the WCC, IMO that means a hell of a lot more than the 9s.

[Guest]

Would have been nice to see Sonny and Freddy play together but I'm glad. However, this tournament could well become South's new annual grand final.

[Guest]

Would have been niice to see Sonny and Freddy play together but I'm glad. However, this tournament could well become South's new annual grand final.

Sharks as well.

[stephenj]

doesnt matter, freddy will be putting some big names into the clear via his left foot step anyway! jnr jnr will be there to back up his defence!

[Guest]

Sydney Roosters great Brad Fittler says he would love to line up alongside Sonny Bill Williams at the Auckland Nines but concedes it's unlikely.

Fittler has been lured out of a 10-year retirement to join the tricolours for the inaugural two-day NRL pre-season tournament next month and believes Williams would be a formidable Nines player.

The Roosters haven't finalised their squad for the Nines but Fittler said he spoke with coach Trent Robinson on Wednesday who suggested the NRL premiers would rest Williams from the Nines with the World Club Challenge scheduled for the week after.

"I spoke to the coach today and they have the World Club Challenge game the week after and they are still indecisive as to whether certain players will play the Nines or the World Club Challenge," Fittler told 2SM's Talkin' Sport.

"There hasn't been a final conclusion but there is a big chance Sonny won't be playing which is a shame.

"I have played against Sonny and I reckon it would be fun to play with him."

When told Williams' manager Khoder Nasser had told TVNZ on Wednesday that the dual international would not be playing in the February 15 and 16 tournament at Eden Park, Fittler said: "He is probably right".

Fittler said he had begun training for the event and was confident he would make a good account of himself in his return to the game he left in 2004.

"I have got five weeks and it should be under control," he said.

"I know I will enjoy it ... there should be no reason why I can't handle it.

"I'm approaching it in a fantastic mood."

Williams is due back at Roosters training on Monday, with the majority of the club's World Cup stars, ahead of the World Club Challenge against Wigan at Allianz Stadium on February 22.

[sydroosters]

damn, would of been good seeing sbw ripping it up in the 9s but he has played a fair bit of footy, he didn't even wont to box probably because how much nrl took out of him