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#Post#: 16378--------------------------------------------------
Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By:
Date: February 5, 2019, 9:11 am
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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:
HTML https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12201105
#Post#: 16392--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: Quins Head
Date: February 5, 2019, 10:24 am
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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
#Post#: 16399--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: February 5, 2019, 10:47 am
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--- Quote from: Quins Head link ---
>
> 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
>
--- End Quote ---
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.
#Post#: 16420--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: Quins Head
Date: February 5, 2019, 12:57 pm
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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
#Post#: 16423--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: poorfour
Date: February 5, 2019, 1:38 pm
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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.
#Post#: 16425--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By:
Date: February 5, 2019, 1:51 pm
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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
#Post#: 16475--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 6, 2019, 4:57 am
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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?
#Post#: 16482--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: February 6, 2019, 5:34 am
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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.
#Post#: 16483--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: Cookie
Date: February 6, 2019, 5:41 am
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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.
#Post#: 16484--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sonny Bill Williams
DIR By: marlowish
Date: February 6, 2019, 6:11 am
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--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> 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?
>
--- End Quote ---
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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