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Sonny-Bill Williams 2021

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  • #16
    Williams to retire from football after Wolfpack bid falls through

    By Adrian Proszenko

    November 3, 2020 — 8.00pm


    Sonny Bill Williams' storied footballing career has almost certainly come to an end.

    Williams was contracted to Toronto for 2021, but his lucrative deal has fallen through after the club was denied readmission to the Super League. The cross-code star has no interest in playing anywhere else, ending one of the most remarkable careers in the rugby codes.

    The 35-year-old underwent neck surgery this week, but is aiming to return to the boxing ring once he recovers. He is scheduled to fight former AFL star Barry Hall over the summer.

    Williams will finish his league career with 123 NRL appearances for Canterbury and the Roosters and 12 Tests for the Kiwis. His Toronto stint will finish with just five appearances after the Wolfpack was forced to withdraw from the Super League due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
    Williams also made an indelible impression on the 15-man game during stints with the Crusaders and Chiefs, as well as in France and Japan. He is also a two-time World-Cup winning All Black, playing 58 Tests for New Zealand.

    Williams made five appearances for the Roosters at his second stint in the club, an opportunity that arose following the Wolfpack's withdrawal from the Super League. After his final appearance for the tricolours, Williams said he didn't know what his future held.

    ​​​​​​"I'm not too sure at this stage, I've got to talk to the wife," Williams said last month.

    "These old joints are a little bit tough to get out of the starting blocks each week. We will see what happens with Toronto and if that falls through, then who knows."

    The Roosters have made no secret of their desire to add Williams to their coaching staff. Williams has no intention of playing against one of their NRL rivals and the Wolfpack development closes the door on a return to the playing field.

    The Wolfpack's prospective new owners, Wolf Grooming Investment Group, couldn't come to terms with the Super League for re-entry in 2021 following a meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the 11 Super League clubs. Williams had signed a two-year deal reportedly worth $10 million for seasons 2020-21, but has only been paid a fraction of his contract. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to recoup more of the money owed to him.​​​​​​

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    • #17
      Originally posted by ChookMaster View Post
      No thank you he did his job last season, time to move forward.
      Did he really?

      I found the whole experience underwhelming.
      FVCK CANCER

      Comment


      • #18
        Originally posted by Mickie Lane View Post

        Im still waiting for the Josh Mansour thread.
        That can be arranged

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        • #19
          > He is scheduled to fight former AFL star Barry Hall over the summer.

          Hope he smashes the bald see you next Tuesday.

          > After his final appearance for the tricolours, Williams said he didn't know what his future held. "I'm not too sure at this stage, I've got to talk to the wife," Williams said last month.

          Mmmkay so no mention of retirement.

          IMO he'd add more value in a coaching role though - Peter Garrett style. Get out there with the boys, make some crazy hand gestures during the game and fire 'em all up.

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          • #20
            He’d be a wonderful mentor for the Poly boys, and the forwards in general. I’d love to have him on the staff. A lot will depend on the COVID situation when next season rolls around. If there’s still a bubble with limited staff numbers, it won’t happen.

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            • #21
              Mentor/coaching type might be the best option moving forward. We have too many aging players in the roster

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              • #22
                Originally posted by ConGa View Post
                Mentor/coaching type might be the best option moving forward. We have too many aging players in the roster
                This.

                / end of thread.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Steakface View Post

                  This.

                  / end of thread.
                  Yep. He could probably play and do alright but this season his biggest value add was that he provided cover for a tired, heavily injured team.

                  Next year it'll be different.

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                  • #24
                    Definitely would not have wanted to resign him as a player.

                    Much more feasible seeing him in a coaching/mentoring role, with the Bulldogs or Warriors likely beneficiaries just as much as us. Let's see what happens.
                    MRR or Rabid

                    Some people believe supporting the Roosters
                    is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed
                    with that attitude. I can assure you it is
                    much, much more important than that.


                    (1981 Bill Shankly quote variation)

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      To play you would have to offer him a minimal contract He has all the skills But looks to have lost the leg speed and ability to break the line Some sort of coaching mentoring role would be good with us though
                      I respect all our moderators here. Past present and even future. Always have done and always will do a wonderful job.

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by Andrew Walker View Post
                        To play you would have to offer him a minimal contract He has all the skills But looks to have lost the leg speed and ability to break the line Some sort of coaching mentoring role would be good with us though
                        Agreed. Whereas for coaching you could offer him $$$ without any limits while he does his own training for boxing.

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                        • #27
                          Development representative of the roosters , going to regional areas, running coaching camps , spotting talent etc... anything to keep him at the roosters.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Originally posted by Andrew Walker View Post
                            To play you would have to offer him a minimal contract He has all the skills But looks to have lost the leg speed and ability to break the line Some sort of coaching mentoring role would be good with us though
                            NRL would not register him under a minimal contract- I remember when the Chooks tried to sign Brett Mullins on a $1 contract for 2003 - No go- But i do recall Manly be able to sign someone on such a contract - Ben Kennedy i think - $3 and Menzies on a $1 one so there is a precedent i suppose? The minimum i think now is 105k so can't be less than that- Don't think he would want to play on in any case

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                            • #29
                              I would take him 100%.
                              We were forced to over use him in the finals because the rest of our team was was busted and he did well , but he can't maintain that for a full season.

                              We should use him off the bench for 15 - 20 minutes a game for the best impact and keeping him healthy.
                              He would be a great in this role and good for our younger guys.
                              But sadly we all get old , maybe his knees wont be up to it.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Originally posted by King Salvo View Post

                                NRL would not register him under a minimal contract- I remember when the Chooks tried to sign Brett Mullins on a $1 contract for 2003 - No go- But i do recall Manly be able to sign someone on such a contract - Ben Kennedy i think - $3 and Menzies on a $1 one so there is a precedent i suppose? The minimum i think now is 105k so can't be less than that- Don't think he would want to play on in any case
                                Thought storm are signing Ricky leutele for only 60k because that’s all they have available in their cap.

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