We heard on the 11am news that Sonny Bill Williams has put off any move to sign an NZRU contract until after the Rugby World Cup.
That's disappointing. Graham Henry said early in the season that he wanted contracts done and dusted before the Rugby World Cup, so that players would not be distracted from which they are currently contracted to the NZRU to perform. And Sonny Bill Williams should be no exception.
We have no beef with Williams himself. But with Williams comes his manager, Khoder Nasser, and his main man, Anthony "The Man" Mundine. Nasser is a businessman, and has no pedigree in rugby. His sole focus is to get the best deal that he can for his client. Obviously, the better the deal, the better the percentage that Nasser draws. Mundine is; well, Mundine; that's the only way to describe him. He's a clown with an inflated sense of his own importance, and like Nasser, really isn't interested in rugby, except as far as rugby pays the bills for his "mate" Sonny Bill.
We were excited when the NZRU signed Williams last year. We were probably naive to think that there wouldn't be this kind of drama when it came time to put a new value on Williams at contract time. The NZRU has bent over backwards to accomodate Williams' foibles, including his "beneficiary-bashing" boxing match in June, during the Supoer Rugby season.
So here's our suggestion to the NZRU; send Khoder Nasser a final offer for Williams for next season, with a final deadline to sign of 31 August 2011. If he wants to commit to New Zealand rugby he can sign it; if he doesn't, cut him adrift when the current contract expires post-RWC.
Barring injury, it seems as though Williams' contribution to the RWC campaign will be limited. The selectors and the NZRU took a punt, and whilst it hasn't nbben a complete failure, it hasn't worked out as well as was hoped. Nut let's not lose any more time and effort trying to line the pockets of the likes of Khoder Nasser and Anthony Mundine, and let's get the focus where it needs to be; soley on winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
7 comments:
I am not so sure that SBW's involvement will be limited. ONce again in a tight match Nonu gave away a stupid penalty in front of the posts to keep the Aussies on the front foot.
Sure Nonu scored a try - but that penalty was more crucial in the overall context of the match.
If the NZ invitational XV had a proper coach the Oz/Frog thug would have been given his marching orders weeks ago.
He's one dimensional, has no real appreciation of what is required to be a good rugby player and pretty much a waste of space.
If a half player like Nonu is the preferred choice the team is in trouble.
If NZ rugby had real leadership it never would have been signed.
If they dump the bastard now I might start supporting them again.
I agree with Iv2 play the ultimatum card and let the chips fall.
His reliance on a management team who are pretty unsettled on their way forward is not the NZ way so sign or bugger off.
Drop him like a hot rock.
The Arse are in deep shit .. they were before the season started and the reason .. players who want to be elsewhere or cut a better deal. Spurs have had it with Modric, both Manchesters with Tevez, Ronaldo was another. The RFU should let him go even though he MAY have that X factor.
Many of our better AB's have turned down big offers but stayed.
Call his bluff and dump the mercenary prima donna. His mind's on the money, not the game. And that's from one who doesn't even follow the game - SWMBO.
I agree PM; a non-negotiable contract offer, with TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT written in bold letters, and highlighted.
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