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'He looks ready to go': Hype continues to grow as ex-All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams nears NRL return

By AAP
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

James Tedesco claims he can add another layer to his attacking game with Sonny Bill Williams’ return as the Sydney Roosters’ star recruit ramps up his preparations to face Canberra.

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Williams is expected to end a 2171-day NRL hiatus against on Saturday night at GIO Stadium, with five matches for Toronto Wolfpack his only rugby league since leaving the Roosters in 2014.

The return of the former All Blacks ace comes at an ominous time for the Roosters’ NRL rivals, with reigning Dally M Medallist Tedesco involved in five tries last week and the premiers’ attack the best in the competition.

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But with Williams in the team, superstar fullback Tedesco believes the Roosters will be even more dangerous.

Williams will spend this week fitting into team structures, running through more plays in attack after a month spent focused on his fitness.

The 35-year-old has spent a month studying the Roosters’ style of play, taking notes in video sessions while in quarantine and in person.

And it’s exactly that that excites Tedesco, confident the veteran’s famous offload and ball skills will still be there in the middle for the Tri-colours.

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“When he’s got the ball he’s got skilful offloads and tip-ons,” Tedesco said.

“He’s just a guy who I know I can hang around and he can create something for me and I can create something for him hopefully.

“He’s probably not as fit as he was when he was in his 20s, but skilfully he’s still got it with more skills.

“That’s the big thing for us this week working on some combinations and getting that going on the field.”

Tedesco has no doubt over Williams’ fitness.

The back-rower has largely done his fitness work away from the main group, putting in the extra hard yards on lighter days for the top 17 and on match days.

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“Going off what I have seen he looks physically ready to go,” Tedesco said.

What hasn’t been missing though is the Williams aura.

Even veterans like Brett Morris have noticed his presence, while he has already proven influential among the group’s younger players.

In Canberra, the Raiders are lobbying the government to try and increase crowd numbers from 3000 to up to 6000 or even 12,000.

“The hype with Sonny is the fact that he’s done it all. I just think it’s wonderful to have him in the game,” Raiders coach Ricky Start said.

“The hype you talk about that that has been created through his presence is really good for rugby league in these tough times.

“It’d be great to get some more numbers into the game to be able to watch him play and experience it.”

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Trevor 10 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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