He is only in his first season of Super Rugby and has still only played a handful of matches but SBW seems to be a super star of ‘Jonah Lomu’ proportions going by the media attention afforded to Mr Williams this week in Capetown.
Media outlets in South Africa have referred to Williams as ‘The biggest rugby superstar in the world’, and every time the opportunity has presented itself, South Africans have clambered for a chance for a photo or interview. Williams is a natural with the media and I’m sure Mr Blackadder has seen it as a welcome diversion from his team’s preparations.
When observing Williams he really appears to be totally comfortable within his own skin. He seems quick with a smile, wink, or quick word to anyone that chips in his direction. He is definitely not the centre of attention in that Crusader set-up and like all Crusaders from the Head Coach down, he is approachable. In person he has a stealth appearance; however that is when comparing him to Fruean. In comparison he appears stream-line and dare I say it, almost lean, then again that Fruean is a beast, how he won’t make the AB’s this year – I don’t know. His duel (Fruean’s) with TWB13 will be more interesting for me than SBW clash with JDV. Fruean will not have fond memories of Newlands from last year and will be out to even the ledger.
Williams was signed by the Australian Rugby league Club the Canterbury Bulldogs as a 17-year-old. His career went from strength to strength as a young professional footballer, which wasn’t easy in the brutal NRL competition. He representing New Zealand as a “Kiwi” and was quickly hailed as one of league’s soon to be ‘Great Players’.
However Williams has always seemed to have other plans and left the Bulldogs in controversial circumstances, signing with the ‘French Super Club’ Toulon in 2008, with former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga a key figure in Sonny Bill switching codes. He quickly found himself learning and playing outside the best in the business – Johnny Wilkinson.
Signed by the New Zealand Rugby Union late last year, Williams played for Christchurch club side Belfast, Canterbury Metro and the Canterbury ITM side, before earning a much anticipated All Blacks call up for their end of year tour to Hong Kong and Europe.
Williams has passed every test to date and this afternoon will be yet again a huge challenge for the young man.
I must admit that I am a fan of ‘The SBW Show’, but I realise that he will only be with us for a short while, until he ventures somewhere else – to turn his hand to another challenge on the globe.
I hope the Newlands faithful take time to enjoy ‘The SBW Show’ today!
I’m sure he won’t disappoint.
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TWB13
I am so looking forward to the whole midfield clash this afternoon.
Going to be an tough as can be out there.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
a Wesism
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : I really am looking foward to those clashes this afternoon. It is going to be a true test of both midfield pairings.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Will also be a really interesting test for Matt Todd to see if he can foot it with the big boys 😕
Interesting article HH. I’m sure the Cape Town media would never pass up the opportunity to jump on the hype bandwagon.
@CapeShark (Comment 5) : They don’t even need visiting superstars to create hype. 🙂
@ HH: You beckoned?? 😈
The Cape media might hype our players up but at least we don’t give them nicknames like SuperPat!
@wpw (Comment 8) :
No you have a point there. you guys go straight past that and come up with “The WORLD’S Best 13” etc. 😛
@wpw (Comment 8) : Softy en Mossie… 🙄
Nah dude, we didn’t start that, the player did! 😉
He may be overconfident but he isn’t far off is he??
JF has been very consistent over the last 5 or so years and there’s very few outside centres as good as him.
@wpw (Comment 11) : I have been consistent the last 10 years and I don’t label myself as TWG’13… 😈
@Charlie (Comment 12) :
A lot depends at what level you consider yourself to be consistent at?
I saw you play last night and that was anything BUT consistent! 😈
Bwahahahahaha
Jy wiet ek terg jou ma net wuh? 😉
@wpw (Comment 7) : 😉
@wpw (Comment 14) : Thanx for the support, can see Big Fish’s influence is rubbing off on you 😆
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) : It’s not just about rugby…life is consisting out of a vast spectrum…the real world is out there…the question remains can you be the greatest in life after rugby too…true character will prove that… 😉
@Charlie (Comment 17) :
Deep choons.
@Big Fish (Comment 18) : 😳
@wpw (Comment 8) : Just Incredible Schalk . . . 😉
Really looking forward to the Stormers game. Clash of the midfield Titans.