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'Everyone was in awe of him, he's still got that aura about him'
Even the world’s best rugby league player can’t wait to run off Sonny Bill Williams. Reigning Dally M Medallist James Tedesco believes Williams’ return to the Sydney Roosters will inspire every single player as Trent Robinson’s back-to-back premiers eye the first NRL title hat-trick.
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Williams – who is three days into his fortnight of mandatory quarantine – is tipped to make his first appearance for the Roosters since the 2014 preliminary final in the round-17 grand final rematch with Canberra in the national capital.
But Tedesco is convinced the dual international will have a significant impact at Bondi Junction well before then.
“He brings a lot of experience and the calibre of player he is he’ll be awesome to work with,” Tedesco said.
“We all know from just sniffing around him that there’ll be opportunities from his offloads and powerful running.
“So it’s really exciting.”
Tedesco has no doubts Williams’ presence alone will improve the Roosters, having recalled the New Zealand superstar popping in for a club training session a few years ago after leaving the NRL for another stint in rugby.
“Everyone was in awe of him and he’s still got that aura about him, how good a player he is and how professional he is, the way he holds himself and talks and presents himself,” Tedesco said.
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“It’ll be great to see how he prepares for games. We’ve all heard how professional he is and what a player he is so it’ll be awesome to be involved with him.
“Hopefully he’ll definitely lift a lot of our guys.”
Tedesco picked up just about every major individual gong last year but the Test fullback hopes Williams can take his scintillating game to even greater heights.
“We don’t really have much second phase at the moment and that’s Sonny’s strength,” he said.
“We all know how good a player he can be so I’m hoping we can bring the best out of him here at the Roosters and I know he can make me a better player and hopefully I can do that for him too.”
The arrival of Williams is well-timed with the Roosters in the midst of a season flat spot while dealing with an injury crisis.
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Six players from last year’s grand final line-up are sidelined, while calf injuries to Josh Morris and Jared Waerea-Hargraves added to the woes.
Tedesco, though, warned fans not to expect Williams to be the Roosters’ saviour.
“It’s not just about one player,” Tedsco said. “It’s not really like he can save us, save the world.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff to work on and Sonny’s not going to come in and save all that.
“He’ll obviously create a lot for us and be a big boost for us but as a team we need to get better and hopefully by the next few weeks we get a few troops back and we start hitting our straps.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
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