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| Sonny's career won't be remembered for the right reasons |
When it
comes to hype around Rugby League
players over the past 106 years, it’s hard to argue that Sonny Bill Williams’
career hasn’t created the most. The modern day athlete and code-crossing
superstar, has gained more popularity in South Africa, New Zealand and
Australia than any other athlete. His headline moments have produced a spectrum
of emotions for his millions of fans. But when Williams is gone and in years to
come, how will we remember him? Or how will rugby league fans remember him?
He blew onto
to scene as the gifted Bulldogs junior from New Zealand who astounded us with his
big hits and ferocious style. We relished his shoulder charges, ability, good
looks, charm and strength. It caught the attention of all sports fans across
Australia.
He would go
on and win a premiership off the bench for Canterbury, and was lauded by commentators
as the biggest thing to happen to the game in many years and a sure superstar
for the next decade. Not to be.
We all know
how he left the dogs, went to French Rugby and eventually flew back to New
Zealand for a few years in Super, and International Rugby. He succeed in Union
as most league players have before him, and won along with many trophies, a
new-legion of fans in En-Zed.
Nowadays, In
his rare media appearances, Sonny Bill seems to display a ‘humility’ and ‘graciousness’
for his position in life and standing in the southern hemisphere sporting
landscape. But he seems to make some rather bizarre decisions that give his
profile and standing with the fans no lift.
For instance,
why did he leave it until the eleventh hour to commit to the New Zealand World
Cup campaign last year? He reasoned that he hadn’t had a proper holiday in
years and was going to skip the world cup for a break, only to realise at the
last minute he didn’t what to look back on his career and have any regrets. It
was his ‘brothers’ of kiwi compatriots that convinced him to jump on-board. His
decisions tragically led to Tohu Harris being sent-packing before he had a
chance to even pack his bags for the trip.
Which brings
us to the ANZAC test match coming up this Friday, and Sonny’s skip once again.
The turmoil after the world cup of the Kiwi team apparently mixing sleeping
medication with energy drinks created a rift between Williams and the NZRL
after he, and roommate Kieran Foran, were largely named in media as two who had
‘dabbled’ in such actions. An official report cleared them, but the damage had already
been done to the sensitive public relations aroma of Williams.
For all that
SBW has done in the game of Rugby League, there seems to be more negative
memories than those of achievement and good-will. He always appears bigger than
the game itself.
Wouldn’t one
last run in the historic ANZAC clash wearing the black and white jumper with
its proud kiwi fern above his heart be a better way to be remembered than
scooting off for an attempted honey-moon overseas? Even better, wouldn’t a man
of the match, team-leading and country-inspiring win over the dominating Australia
give the fans a memory for years to come?
I would
argue that his attempt to keep a low profile and stay out of the media have
done the opposite and ensured his negative publicity have the light shun
brighter upon. His admittedly made mistakes as we all do, and the league fraternity
is one forgiving bunch, but Sonny, please, we fans don’t cop blokes who think
they are god’s greatest gift. Even if the drama of the energy drinks gave your
name a run through the mud, if you were true to your ‘brothers’, and yourself,
you would be out there this Friday night representing your country and tearing
the Australian forward pack a new one.
You’ve
missed the best opportunity you’ve had since your return to Rugby League to let
the memories of your past disappear from our minds. You played an extraordinary
role in the Roosters premiership last year which many will fail to see the true
scale of because of exactly that; you were playing for the Roosters. But nothing
is greater and more applauded in world sport than achieving success whilst
representing your country. Sure it’s not the Olympics running out onto Allianz
Stadium but there would be no greater imprint on league fans. You could have left
us talking in our homes, pubs or at the ground about the great kiwi victory of
2014.
Not to be.