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Sonny Bill Williams' surprise omissions in touching 'thank you' to New Zealand rugby
All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has posted a heartfelt goodbye to New Zealand rugby fans, teammates and management as he embarks on the next adventure in his remarkable sporting career – but, somewhat surprisingly, failed to mention several names, including those of outgoing coach Steve Hansen, former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and New Zealand Rugby chief executive Stew Tew.
Williams, 34, who quit the All Blacks after the failed Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan, confirmed on Friday that he would be joining Canadian league team the Toronto Wolfpack on a two-year deal – reported to be worth almost $10 million.
The code-hopping superstar has had two previous stints with NRL teams – with the Bulldogs between 2004 and 2008, and the Sydney Roosters (2013/2014) – and is undefeated in seven professional boxing bouts.
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In a message to his 880,000 Twitter followers, Williams thanked NZR chairman Brent Impey and head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum but didn’t mention Tew, who is stepping down next month after 12 years as CEO.
“Obviously, my time in New Zealand has come to an end but I think it’s only right that I send a message of gratitude to those that have helped me along my journey,” Williams said.
“First, I’ll start at the top. NZRU, Brent Impey, Chris Lendrum, it’s been a pleasure dealing with you guys over the last 10 years.”
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1192578417188691968
In the video, 58-test veteran Williams thanks several former teammates, opponents and coaches, including England icon Jonny Wilkinson, and French test star-turned-coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
He also singles out outgoing All Blacks captain Kieran Read as the best captain he’s played with.
Read has captained Williams in the black jersey since taking over from McCaw following his retirement in the aftermath of the All Blacks’ second consecutive World Cup triumph in 2015.
“Influential figures in my career … obviously Tana Umaga, Jonny Wilkinson, John Kirwan, Dave Rennie, Philippe Saint-Andre, you guys put that belief in me when there was still the unknown whether I could go all the way or not, so I’m forever thankful,” Williams said.
“Being able to rub shoulders and play alongside some special players and some special talent. Izzy Dagg, I guess the best captain that I’ve ever played alongside Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Keven Mealamu, Ma’a Nonu, Jerome Kaino … the list goes on and on. The Franks brothers, Sam Cane …”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4k44pTghDo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Williams, who had Super Rugby stints with the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues, seems to suggest that All Black rugby is in good hands, with the likes of Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett and Rieko and Akira Ioane at the top of their games.
“Also, having longevity and being around long enough to see special talent come through. Guys like the Barrett brothers and the Ioane boys. I just hope you guys remember me when I come up with my sons to ask for signatures in 10 years,” Williams said.
“And last, but not least, [thank you] to the fans – the young ones that come up for signatures and to the old ones that just wanted a yarn, I’m forever grateful.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Dear Robbie, Please return to the Crusaders next season. Sincerely, Scott
1 Go to commentsDid the big E call the Irish the ‘White Can’ts’? That would’ve been good
28 Go to commentsDalton Papalii will be lucky to be selected on the Matchday 23. Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, and Peter Lauki are all as good or better openside flankers
9 Go to commentsScott Barrett is a lock and they have a much longer shelf life than a loose forward. Far more likely that Barrett will still demand a starting position based on performance at age 33 at RWC 2027 than Savea, whose explosive athleticism will have declined and he will in all likelihood have been surpassed by Hoskins Sotutu, Wallace Siti, Peter Lauki and Brayden Iose.
9 Go to commentsExtremely frustrating to get yet more speculation over whether or not Eben actually counted 12 players or not, but honestly big respect to McCloskey for keeping it classy and not pointing out Etzebeth’s hypocrisy. The Irish are a popular team outside of Ireland because they do their talking on the pitch, and its honestly a PR masterclass that they’re keeping it that way following Etzebeth’s provocation.
28 Go to commentsGood option for the lineout lost there.
1 Go to commentsIt’s not like Saffas have a long history of spouting absolute shite at any & every occasion. Oh wait… The dangers of an inferior third world education strike again.
28 Go to commentsI’m so glad we’re revisiting this. Really needs to be dissected further. I’m also so glad that a guy in the stands who wasn’t anywhere near the field when any of it would have been said (and even confirms this) has taken the lead and commented as Ireland. Definitely cleared it all up. This article would be hilarious if it wasn’t so misleading.
28 Go to commentsits such a shame he hasn’t achieved more success at club level. He’s really not been a potent finisher for a while now, but he’s still excellent in the kick chase. That’s the kind of skillset that generally only gets appreciated when you’re playing in premiership and european finals. I’m not sure whether the challenge cup counts given the quality of the competition seems lower than in previous years, but his duel with Mapimpi should be enthralling.
1 Go to commentsThe point is the irish players were arrogant,call it like you want sugar coat it aswell but they were you could see it in their way they handeled themselfs on the field when they got something right so dont tell me it was not arrogance it was,you can fool other people but not me,and to say to one of our players see you in the final put a nail in the coffin for this bullsh@t,just be grown men and accept it that you were arrogant,you could if seen it from a mile away, and then you lost to the allblacks what a cocky move that didnt work out for you ,Eben was right when he said u were arrogant,the point is you will deny it because you lost it all just grow some balls and move on we had won you lost accept it.
28 Go to comments“summer tour of North and South America” so its a summer tour of america?
1 Go to commentsEverybody is giving the Irish players the benefit of the doubt in ‘what they meant’, but none of these pundits or commentators offer the same courtesy to Eben. I don’t think Eben went, 1, 2, 3… etc. What might have happened is he didn’t count and when the 3rd or 5th guy said he went, hang on why are so many of them saying this… and then started to concentrate on it more and more as players continue to say it. So no, he didn’t count it, he realised many Irish players said it and made an assumption based on that… The Irish team was VERY confident at the time and I do believe they believed they were going to win the World Cup, which borders a bit on the arrogant side…
28 Go to commentsI can see how some of the Irish players would have said”see you in the final” as a gentle comment after a victory. It’s open to interpretation but it’s clumsy language. I don’t know the fella but I assure you Eben doesn’t have an axe to grind with Ireland. He has never been the media seeking pro. Oh and BTW it is I’ll be our winter in July so won’t be wet.
28 Go to comments*McCloskey*: _I saw this clip. Like, I wasn’t playing that game; I was in the stands…so you don't know sh!t in other words, infact you know just as much as Goode on this matter. I will believe the guy who was on the pitch when things were said as appose to two people speculating over what was said._
28 Go to comments@ turlough dream on buddy. Your boys are in for one tough time down in sa this summer…
28 Go to commentsI think Goode is looking to establish a platform for himself. Eben said “Probably” so that suggests he wasn’t counting. It’s an estimate Goode. I think even with your short and uneventful experience with the Sharks you probably realise winding up Saffas will get you some airtime. It’s a none event. Move on
28 Go to commentsRugby has never been as structured and synthetically pleasing as it is at this moment. The game is simply beautiful and messing with it too much will ruin it for everyone. I can't help but feel that over the past decade or so many rules have been changed to accommodate a certain hemisphere and counter another. Perhaps I am wrong but I somehow don’t think so.
2 Go to commentsNoted some excellent defensive steals from the Rebs last week against the Reds, largely J Canham, I think. It’s not a Rolls Royce but they are a real threat with their defensive line out at the beginning matches. What do you make of Canham Nick, WBs squad material?
86 Go to commentsCoin flip between Ardie and Scott Barrett. Both have their pros and cons, and both would probably be decent. Ardie has way more passion on the field, but that hasn’t always translated into the best decisions. They will both turn 34 at the next World Cup, so both will most likely have their best days a few years behind them. It’s hard to imagine now, but looking at young players coming through Ardie will probably be under the most pressure to retain his place in the team. Beauden Barrett also an outside chance if Razor sees him as the first choice 10.
9 Go to commentsQuality stuff from Flats. Rugby can’t replace football nor should we want it to. I think the ‘product’ (awful term sorry) now is absolutely fantastic. Growing the game shouldn’t be at the expense of losing its brutal beauty.
2 Go to comments