SBW & Sam - The last time

Tonight, two of Rugby League’s modern day greats go into their final battle, for the very last time. After 80 minutes, or potentially even more, one will exit the game forever; the other will have an opportunity at premiership glory.

Round 1, 2013

The image that optimises the two behemoths that are Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams, is the ‘welcome back’ gift Sam delivered SBW in round 1, 2013. With SBW returning from a 5 year stint in Rugby Union with so much hype he had his own voice narrate his call up off the bench, Sam Burgess demanded the ball as soon as he spotted SBW in the line, and in one run showed the world that no longer was SBW in the game he left as the world’s best. Straight over the top of the Roosters back-rower like a bull over a backpacker in Pamplona. The way both men play the game is with absolute ferocity, leaving nothing in the tank. SBW no longer relies on the shoulder charge, but with a refined game still delivers the ultimate punch to opposition forward packs. Sam plays the game so hard; he missed numerous games in his first two seasons in Australia. His approach has not changed and he will be the one out their tonight for South Sydney looking for the first hit up or tackle.

The two men have taken drastically different paths to their current point in the NRL. They have had clouds hang over their heads, chips on their shoulder, and obstacles to overcome. The way they have taken on these journeys has seen them become the men they are today, and provide a valuable insight into why they are the players they are.

SBW’s exit from the Bulldogs sent him overseas to French Rugby Union and put simply, earned him the title of Rugby League’s biggest dog. The walk out left him with few friends in the game or country, and was probably a driving force for his success in Rugby Union. A world cup winner and Super Rugby Champion with the Chiefs, SBW also became a devoted Muslim during this time adhering to the strict lifestyle of the faith. It appears though, SBW always knew he would have to one day return to the game that made him and help restore his reputation. That came in the form of a handshake with Roosters boss Nick Politis. Uncle Nick knew what Williams could bring to a club that for so long had been rife with a loose culture in a city of distractions. The story of Sonny Bill turning up to the first training session with a notebook ready to take notes was a strange one to old Rugby League heads, but an indication of how professional he had become. Being such a strong personality and carrying the aura he does, he almost single handily reformed the culture of the Roosters through his actions alone. Combined with new direction of well schooled Head Coach Trent Robinson, and the holistic approach to health and fitness from Strength Coach Keegan Smith the Roosters finally got off the booze and took the game to a new level. Ultimately resulting in a premiership for the tri-colours, an astounding achievement considering they had a rookie coach, almost half a team of new players and where they ran the year before. SBW’s year in 2014 has seen some solid performances, but he hasn’t had that class and domination of last year in recent weeks. Many will be waiting for him to explode tonight.

Sam’s ride to his third successive NRL preliminary final began in Northern England, where he played for the Bradford Bulls as a teenager. In this time while establishing himself as bucking young forward, he also cared for his father before he sadly passed away, often carrying his dad up the stairs to his bed in their Yorkshire home. If that doesn’t make you grow up quick, nothing will. Ironically dubbed in 2006 as “England’s Sonny Bill”, Burgess went on to establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Super League and made eye catching appearances for Great Britain and England. Soon the prodigy would be courted by South’s’ owner Russell Crowe and convinced to come to the NRL. In 2009, Rusty gained Burgess' signature and promised South Sydney fans the greatest signing since his takeover of the club. On the day Burgess made his debut at the historic Redfern Oval for a pre-season trial, the gladiator presented Sam with a membership card and number with his father’s name on it. The relationship Russell built with Sam was key to signing him, and has been key to his performances for the foundation club ever since. Burgess has now been at the forefront of the game for 4 years, coming onto the scene with a ripping game for the All Stars in 2010, holding nothing back when slamming the Preston Campbell into the ground and looking for heads straight after. His highlight real ever since is endless, and the shoulders, runs and hits have been felt long after by those he’s come up against. After falling just one game short of the Grand Final for the last two years, Burgess realised the need to knuckle down and has finally kept out of the social pages, focusing purely on football in what will be his last year. It’s no coincidence that by keeping quiet this year, he is genuinely in the running for the Dally M.

With their teams having not played against each other in a finals game for 76 years, and cross city rivalries that go back to 1908, no player will want to leave the field tonight after losing. Whatever the case, both players have become greats in their own rights, and will be remembered forever at their famous clubs. This final, epic showdown between these two powerhouses will be one for the ages, and provides one of the most tantalising build ups to a game in recent memory. Will Sam finally complete his journey down under and take South Sydney to within 80 minutes of their first premiership in 43 years? Or will SBW carry the Roosters to another title, becoming one of only a select group to have won 3 NRL titles in their career. Honestly, if you call yourself a Rugby League fan and you’re not at ANZ stadium tonight to see this clash the game has been waiting for, take a good hard look in the mirror. What a showdown and fight this is going to be. Some say the grand final has come early, but Rugby League has a funny way of throwing up the unexpected. What will tonight bring?

The two greats rivalry... 

Sonny Bill Williams – The greatest athlete who never became a league legend




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.