Will SBW play for the Roosters or for himself?

[Guest]

SBW is no doubt a game changing player and a player of unbelievable talent, however the biggest concern is that he has shown himself not to be a club player.

In 2008, he left the Bulldogs at a time when they needed him the most, just to chase the big bucks overseas. It was possibly one of the most selfish and ignoble acts seen in the sporting world, and as a result the Bulldogs and the game of Rugby League were thrown into turmoil. Flash-forward four years and Sonny Bill Williams is now a man with talents wasting away in Rugby Union and is wishing to return to the game he once deserted. Luckily he has been thrown a lifeline, a lifeline he probably doesn't deserve. The Roosters, a club that has finally cured itself from the viruses that once plagued, are risking everything in that hope that Sonny Bill is a changed man and will be the one to bring a premiership back to Bondi.

At this point in time, Sonny Bill Williams has shown nothing that suggests to me that he has changed his ways. I hope for the sake of the club and the game that I am wrong. I hope the reason he is returning to the NRL is because he realises what he threw away, not because of the money now on offer. So the question is, will he play for the Roosters or for himself?

[chook 56]

+1 BTRoosterP.

[The Axe]

I'm sure this would have been Nick's first question and concern as well, BTRP

[Kingbilly]

I am going to disagree with a couple of things.
$BW is not a game breaker superstar in RL, he was but is not now. If he comes to the to the Roosters I hopes he resumes the role, but I think its still a little bit of a gamble.
Remember he did well in the Super 15 (or what ever it is) but hardly had super star written all over him for the all blacks.

Also I think $BW is pretty short on the old grey matter and is was not his greed that led to his actions but other's greed that manipulated him. Having him pretty quiet when doing his stuff for the RU teams he played for, showed a little more integrity than I expected.

But I do agree that its essential that he understands what is expected of himas far as being a team player

[melon....]

What player doesn't play for himself

[Guest]

What player doesn't play for himself

[rooster_booster]

I am going to disagree with a couple of things.
$BW is not a game breaker superstar in RL, he was but is not now. If he comes to the to the Roosters I hopes he resumes the role, but I think its still a little bit of a gamble.
Remember he did well in the Super 15 (or what ever it is) but hardly had super star written all over him for the all blacks.

Also I think $BW is pretty short on the old grey matter and is was not his greed that led to his actions but other's greed that manipulated him. Having him pretty quiet when doing his stuff for the RU teams he played for, showed a little more integrity than I expected.

But I do agree that its essential that he understands what is expected of himas far as being a team player

Are you kidding me. You obviously didnt watch the RWC

[Guest]

Disagree with most of the above. He walked out of a contract. A contract with the Bulldogs. Can you blame him? He was young, the club spoke of loyalty but was not showing it to his team mates. The guy got into trouble in his early days but is a model citizen off the field. He is a pure athlete. His lifestyle is all about maximising his ability. He is an unbelievable player.

Most don't like him because of his association with Mundine. Mundine has a big mouth but it's done for business. Those that cant see that are idiotic.

[Kingbilly]

Are you kidding me. You obviously didnt watch the RWC

I certainly did and coming off the bench and playing well did not make him a super star.
He did well but not a standout

[Guest]

Watching the RWC I noticed that there were times when SBW saw gaps in the defence and looked to offload but no one was ready to receive the ball.

[Guest]

3 years tooooooooo long ffsake

[Guest]

neither

[stephenj]

he was playing union as a league player? including the shoulder charges!

[Headless Chook]

I certainly did and coming off the bench and playing well did not make him a super star.
He did well but not a standout

I agree with you about him hardly starring at the World Cup. I do wonder whether or not the old prejudices still run deep over in NZ regarding league/union as you must admit, its pretty hard to be a star when you are limited to 10 minute cameo's when a game is all but over. It was like the All Blacks were proving a point......'we don't need an ex-mungo to help us win the World Cup.'

[Guest]

SBW is no doubt a game changing player and a player of unbelievable talent, however the biggest concern is that he has shown himself not to be a club player.

In 2008, he left the Bulldogs at a time when they needed him the most, just to chase the big bucks overseas. It was possibly one of the most selfish and ignoble acts seen in the sporting world, and as a result the Bulldogs and the game of Rugby League were thrown into turmoil. Flash-forward four years and Sonny Bill Williams is now a man with talents wasting away in Rugby Union and is wishing to return to the game he once deserted. Luckily he has been thrown a lifeline, a lifeline he probably doesn't deserve. The Roosters, a club that has finally cured itself from the viruses that once plagued, are risking everything in that hope that Sonny Bill is a changed man and will be the one to bring a premiership back to Bondi.

At this point in time, Sonny Bill Williams has shown nothing that suggests to me that he has changed his ways. I hope for the sake of the club and the game that I am wrong. I hope the reason he is returning to the NRL is because he realises what he threw away, not because of the money now on offer. So the question is, will he play for the Roosters or for himself?

It go's like this they all start out young playing for fun with their little mates for a pair of sox & shorts.
If they are good enough & they get scouted & are given a contract they are loyal to that team. If that team (Club) continues to look after them financially through updated contracts they remain loyal to the team. In the mean time if another club is going to pay them 100k more than what they are on they then become loyal to that team. Thats profession football. None of the players (except Symonds & maybe mini) or coaches go for the Roosters they all just come & go.

Alot of NRL players after they retire from the NRL play in some minor comp where again its back to playing for sox & shorts.
When the money is on offer you have to be loyal to yourself first. IMO