'He's got an aura about him': Around 100million set to watch SBW's first NRL game in almost 6 years
Internally, Saturday night has nothing to do with Sonny Bill Williams for the Sydney Roosters. But externally? Coach Trent Robinson knows the eyes of the rugby league world will be on not just his team, but the man wearing their No17 jersey against Canberra.
He welcomes the attention surrounding the former All Blacks midfielder because this is 2020 and Robinson was one of the men at the forefront of restarting the game amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He knows every extra set of eyeballs on the NRL is a good thing, with some even predicting 100million to watch the game. The Roosters coach confirmed on Friday that Williams would play his first NRL game in almost six years on Saturday night at GIO Stadium.
“He’s got an aura about him. He has earned that through achieving in many different places and challenging himself,” Robinson said. “He’s an extreme athlete who ended up pushing his limits, not just physically but mentally. People respect that.
“It’s a real feather in the cap of the game as well that we have got him here and people will be watching around the world. That external focus is really important, we know that this year. It’s very important we get eyeballs on our game.”
"It creates a great environment."
Head Coach Trent Robinson spoke to the media, touching on subjects including Josh Morris reaching 300 games, the return of Sonny Bill Williams, and the Squad's desire for continued improvement? #EastsToWin https://t.co/FaCX1IflXi— Sydney Roosters ? (@sydneyroosters) September 4, 2020
Robinson and the Roosters have grown used to sideshows. There was Williams’ first return in 2013, the futures of Mitchell Pearce and Latrell Mitchell and the arrival of Cooper Cronk. And who would forget the never-ending story of Cronk’s shoulder in 2018, the will he, won’t he saga that lasted until an hour before kick-off in the grand final. Roosters insiders insist the spotlight was far more intense that week than during the current one around Williams.
And still, they handled it with ease. It’s why Robinson hasn’t had to address his players on the hype around Saturday’s game. “I knew what having him [Williams] back would do,” Robinson said.
“Externally, that is the biggest talking point. Internally it’s how do we want to play? We want to get better every game. And that includes this weekend. We want to nail the way we play on Saturday night and we want to honour Josh Morris playing 300 games.”
Fan-favourite Morris will become just the second outside back in the game’s history to reach 300 games. Luke Keary will return, Mitchell Aubusson and Angus Crichton remain some chance and a top-four spot is on the line for both clubs.
Yet all the questions and focus will remain around a man set to play limited minutes off the bench. “He’s ready to play,” Robinson said of Williams. “Not having played since March it’s been a span of time for him. It’s important to get back out there to get the match fitness. You can run around, sit on a bike, do as much as you like. But match fitness is important.”
Strategically, Robinson isn’t concerned either, with Williams having taken notes in a month’s worth of video sessions. “There is more depth to our system now (than in 2014),” Robinson said. “He is a learned guy. He studies hard. He would do as much video as anyone I have seen.”
As much as the All Blacks selectors have tried to downplay the glaring hints that suggest the #NorthvsSouth clash is nothing more than a trial, the inter-island spirit of the occasion hasn’t been lost on two stars. https://t.co/acg0ybsdvw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 4, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments