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Sonny Bill Williams has waded into the Wales players' strike threat

By Liam Heagney
Sonny Bill Williams (right) with Wales boss Warren Gatland (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Ex-All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams had waded into the debate over the threatened players’ strike ahead of Wales hosting England in the Guinness Six Nations on February 25. It emerged on Tuesday evening that all professional players in Wales, including those in the national squad under Warren Gatland, are to hold a crunch meeting where a possible strike will be discussed.

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The revelation ignited a huge storm on social media, with rugby fans having plenty to say about the state of the sport in Wales. Some players also chipped in and it was a tweet from the currently injured Uilisi Halaholo that tempted Williams to have his say on the budgetary crisis.

Halaholo, the former Hurricanes Super Rugby centre, has played for Cardiff since the 2016/17 season, going on to make his Wales debut in February 2021 after qualifying under the residency rules. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since a serious hamstring injury sustained while playing for Cardiff in the URC against the Stormers, his second significant setback with that type of injury in 2022.

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Having read about the reported strike threat, Halaholo tweeted: “Must be nice knowing you can still provide for your kids in about four months… especially when you get injured putting body on the line for your club. Now you got less chance of trying to get a contract somewhere to provide for your family because of injury. Mental health is real. Stay strong.”

His comment was picked up by Williams, whose reply to the Wales player read: “Name me another ‘business’ where the ‘employees’ are treated this way. First NRL, now the footy players up north are starting to stand up for their rights! Organisations are making 100s of millions of $ a year of the back of these players and this is how they are treated.”

Williams later added: “Just curious – what’s the salary cap for board members and suits? Time to start championing the player over the organisation. If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything #PlayersFirst.” Halaholo responded: “Big love my uso.”

He then posted further tweets elaborating on his initial messages. “Just speaking up on behalf of the regular club players that have the most uncertainty. Y’all don’t know but I feel the anxiety in the changing room chat with the boys post trainings. Just looking out for my bradas… C’mon Big Dogs we need y’all.

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“What I mean by this tweet is I don’t let my tweets affect selection for red jersey. That is why I feel so many haven’t spoken up. Just let my rugby talk but it is what it is. Just take it on the chin for my bradas. All I say ask is in terms of the next level… Don’t judge me for my tweets. Judge me for my performances on the field.”

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Trevor 2 hours 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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Bull Shark 6 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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