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Author Topic: Sonny Bill Williams  (Read 2640 times)

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Everyone’s a Quinner

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Sonny Bill Williams
« on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 15:11* »
Sonny Bill Williams, or if your the BBC “Billy Son Williams” has hinted that this could well be his last year with the Auckland Blues and New Zealand Rugby. Could this possibly mean there might be a good chance seeing him at Harlequins and finally see something substantial come from our partnership with the All Blacks? Imagine him linking up with the likes of Marchant and Saili in the centres! One can dream hey!

Who knows! But I am optimistic!

Link below:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12201105
« Last Edit: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 15:15* by Everyone’s a Quinner »

Quins Head

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 16:24* »
Ha ha keep dreaming the partnership is nothing more than one of the marketing teams wet dream. It’s been what a year since it was announced and there has been nothing

TomBuckQuin

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 16:47* »
Ha ha keep dreaming the partnership is nothing more than one of the marketing teams wet dream. It’s been what a year since it was announced and there has been nothing

Bit of a weird thing to say. When did you expect us to bring in an All Black? Major changes at the top with Gussy replacing JK in the summer - so January (which ended less than a week ago) is realistically the first chance Gussy has had to bring in new players with any kind of preparation and with a focus on building "his" squad. If we bring in some NZ players in the upcoming announcements do you come back on here and throw your hands up? I somehow doubt it. Quick to criticise without really thinking about what you're actually saying.

Regardless, haven't management constantly told us that the NZ connection doesn't necessarily equate to All Blacks joining? So any speculating we like to do on here re NZ players joining is just that - a bit of fun. And the idea of SBW joining is definitely fun.

As I understand it there has been quite a lot going on behind the scenes between us and NZ Rugby - as per the link-up.

Quins Head

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 18:57* »
Keep dreaming if you want the link us nothing more than a commercial link and there has been plenty fbtine to have done something on the playing side of things but if your happy to believe the bull be my guest
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poorfour

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 19:38* »
NZers with any sort of international pretensions aren't going to move in the 2 years before an RWC. They all know the story of Nick Evans, who left, and Stephen Donald, who stayed (or at least came back).

If anything is going to come of that deal, expect it to happen after the RWC. We may see a couple of ABs on sabbatical and some not-ready-for-prime-time prospects sent for a development experience. Likely to be an 18-month rotation in the first two years of the cycle; don't expect to snag another NEv unless there's someone else who's done with international rugby.
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Everyone’s a Quinner

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 19:51* »
The way it reads it sounds like it will be after the World Cup, which is why I think there is a possibility it could happen.
Quote:

“Sonny Bill Williams has given his broadest hint yet that this will be his last year with the Blues and New Zealand Rugby.

The Blues and All Blacks midfielder, who turns 34 in August, is contracted until after this year's World Cup in Japan, which he will almost certainly attend providing he remains fit due to his experience and ability to unlock opposition defences with his trademark offloads.”



 You never know! No harm in hoping
« Last Edit: Tuesday 05-Feb-2019, 19:55* by Everyone’s a Quinner »
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deadlyfrom5yardsout

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 10:57* »
Don't wish to rain on anyones parade but he is 34 so presumably 35/36 by the time he becomes available to us.

Is he still playing at the top of his game and more importantly what is his recent injury record? Will he be in a year or two's time the same attractive prospect?

Fearless Fred

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 11:34* »
I'm with poorfour on how this will probably play out in the mid-term. We'll see fixed term sabbaticals for players wanting to experience European rugby (with a view to know whether they want to move North after their time in the AB squad is over).
For younger players who they want to get more experience who may be being held back by having more senior players ahead of them, I can see the benefit. Imagine you're a younger player (24/25) who's got an established AB in the same Super Rugby squad against them. You're only going to get occasional starts in Super Rugby, and possibly some Mitre10 games (Premiership Cup). If NZRU think that you're a player who could develop into a future star, sending you up to us for two seasons to get more serious game time could be a real benefit to them, the player, and us.

Cookie

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 11:41* »
Whilst it's a little frustrating seeing other clubs signing class NZ imports, I rather think our partnership will centre around prospects looking to round their game rather than those looking for a final big payday or a sabbatical.

marlowish

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 12:11* »
Don't wish to rain on anyones parade but he is 34 so presumably 35/36 by the time he becomes available to us.

Is he still playing at the top of his game and more importantly what is his recent injury record? Will he be in a year or two's time the same attractive prospect?

A guy in his mid 30's with a history of injury problems - no thanks

Personally I did not ever see how this link with NZ was ever going to bring players

I can see it as bonus in exchanging coaching ideas for instance but if I was a player I would not care less about any supposed link with Quins or any other club. I would get my agents to send the word I was on the market and see what the best offers were (not necessarily just monetary offers)
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marlowish

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 12:14* »
I'm with poorfour on how this will probably play out in the mid-term. We'll see fixed term sabbaticals for players wanting to experience European rugby (with a view to know whether they want to move North after their time in the AB squad is over).
For younger players who they want to get more experience who may be being held back by having more senior players ahead of them, I can see the benefit. Imagine you're a younger player (24/25) who's got an established AB in the same Super Rugby squad against them. You're only going to get occasional starts in Super Rugby, and possibly some Mitre10 games (Premiership Cup). If NZRU think that you're a player who could develop into a future star, sending you up to us for two seasons to get more serious game time could be a real benefit to them, the player, and us.

They could come to us but they could also go to one of many clubs if they are that good.  They may choose to go to Sarries or Sale who seem to be in the market for foreign players or to France and earn a bucket load of money

Fearless Fred

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 13:26* »
I understand that part of any such move to us would allow the NZRU more say in the terms, such as a fixed contract with a veto over an extension thereof if they deem the player was required back in the NZRU fold in the run up to the next RWC,  potential to have them back if required for short term loan due to injuries, etc, which they wouldn't be guaranteed otherwise. They'd no doubt also be able to have an input into his training off season.

Everyone’s a Quinner

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 13:50* »
I'm with poorfour on how this will probably play out in the mid-term. We'll see fixed term sabbaticals for players wanting to experience European rugby (with a view to know whether they want to move North after their time in the AB squad is over).
For younger players who they want to get more experience who may be being held back by having more senior players ahead of them, I can see the benefit. Imagine you're a younger player (24/25) who's got an established AB in the same Super Rugby squad against them. You're only going to get occasional starts in Super Rugby, and possibly some Mitre10 games (Premiership Cup). If NZRU think that you're a player who could develop into a future star, sending you up to us for two seasons to get more serious game time could be a real benefit to them, the player, and us.


Complete agree here that this would be the most common use of the partnership in terms of younger players gaining more game time here. My thoughts on the Sonny case is more just you never know, despite more injuries, moved healed and back playing he is still fresh and has still got it so it could come down to him thinking to himself “before I retire, where is the one country or league I wish I had a go at but haven’t”. If the England Gallagher Premiership comes up and he is looking for just one season you never know, with our partnership and links with All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby it could help his decision.

I don’t mean to compare it too much but it’s like in football where you sometimes see players join a team in a different league. Yes most times it’s for cash money but in some cases they do it because it’s a country or league they wish to try out and play on before retirement. Could be a pay per play deal, one year contract deal, some sort of we pay some, NZ Rugby pays a tad kind of deal. You normally will see that they are usually on the bench covering the range positions they play in and start the games which are more domestic cup instead of European cup or league games unless needed.

Think about it. To a lot of young New Zealanders and future All Blacks, most probably haven’t heard much about Harlequins other than we are an good team in a top league in England. Having the odd player who they are familiar with play for us like in a current case Francis Saili (or if it did ever happen, Sonny Bills last rugby venture with us) could give us as an English club more exposure and attraction to future younger NZ rugby players to come to us to develop, paired with the partnership.

Some see it as a dumb thought which is completely fine if that’s how you feel, but I like to be optimistic and hopefull. There is no harm in it. If it happens that’s nice, if it doesn’t happen ok no worries.
« Last Edit: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 13:55* by Everyone’s a Quinner »

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday 06-Feb-2019, 14:43* »
I'd rather it be used to bring over coaches to help with a bit of talent spotting/identification and developing our own coaches to improve our existing players. 

Can't see how it helps us on the sabbatical front particularly - if a typical sabbatical lasts a season or two tops, then we get a short term gain - however that same player could go sign a short-term contract for loads more cash in France/Japan, then return to NZ and still slot straight back in the team.

deadlyfrom5yardsout

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Re: Sonny Bill Williams
« Reply #14 on: Thursday 07-Feb-2019, 09:45* »
I have personal experience of a big name player being dropped into the team for the occasional outing. It was a disaster because everybody switched off thinking the star was going to win the game singlehanded.

 

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