jamesgould for the Ninjas.
Inside the Mind of Sonny Bill Williams
On Thursday night, in the first NRL game of the season, and Sonny Bill Williams first match of rugby league since 2008, viewers that tuned into Channel Nines coverage of the match were privileged to hear SBWs thoughts before he headed onto the field.
In the 27th minute, as he stood on the sideline, Williams pondered: How am I going to meet this? I can either freeze, or I can just walk through it. I can get the jitterbugs and be nervous, hold back, or I can meet the confrontation head on. Thats what Im going to do. When you get out there, just go looking for the ball. Go looking for some tackles, go looking for some work, the one percenters. Just try and keep things as simple as I can thats what Im thinking.
As Souths scored in the 30th minute, we delved further into Sonnys psyche, as he pondered his first touch: Dont worry about the offload, just get a win in the tackle. Thats what Im thinking. The offload will come if I make a dent in the defence. Watch out for Roy Asotasis shoulder shimmy shimmy left left right.
However, due to a cassette tape mishap at Channel Nine, we were not privy to as many of Sonny Bill Williams musings as was originally intended. Here now, for the first time, we present the full unexpurgated contemplations.
In the 32nd minute, he took his first run a surge that left him a few metres from the tryline. SBW thought: So close, and yet so far! How can it be, the distance between me and the intention, between glory and failure, can be so little as a few strands of pasture? Were I to but step one way rather than the other, should I be considered a hero?
Video analysis shows Williams quickly cast aside his philosophising and played the ball.
In the 35th minute, Sonny made a run, only to turn and release his first offload since returning to the game! Inside his mind, he reflected on this fine pass: As the ball leaves my fingers, I feel a shiver down my spine. Were I to flick my fingers one way, the ball may travel twisted and askew from its apparent destination. Should I grasp the ball secure, depriving the minions of their pleasure? No, I shall release my offload like a newborn, it will find its way. Not without heartache, not without anguish, but it shall find its way.
With only a minute remaining in the half, Souths received a line drop-out. Sam Burgess returned the kick, steamrolling SBW in the process. The following ran through Sonnys mind: My head hits the turf where am I? Such a blow! Such a clash! Truly we are modern gladiators! The collision harks back to the stone-age. The eternal struggle - the civilised man against his truly base instincts. For this period, the animal shall emerge. And they shall love it! I hear the cries! They applaud ... as they should. For they crave the bloodlust.
Souths carried a 16-4 lead into the halftime break, and had extended that lead to 28-4 by the 75th minute. However, then a good return for Williams became a truly great one, as he ran off a Frank-Paul Nuuausala pass to score. SBWs mind was racing during this moment of pure joy, but here is what he was thinking: Ha! The prodigal son returns! As thy cast oneself aside, they shall welcome thy back to thine bosom! The withering opponent cannot pretend themselves worthy of containing a force such as thyself. I shall place the ball on the grass, as is the custom. Running around to preface an easier kick? Not in thy nature!
Despite Sonnys self salutations, the final result remained a 28-10 loss to the Roosters. As the media strived to get an interview with the great man at the conclusion of the match, one scribe asked what it was like returning to rugby league. Williams considered inside his head: Only with great sacrifice comes great glory. Tonight was the beginning of truly glorious and grand proceedings! By seasons end, I shall be coroneted, marched down the high street to exaltation from the under class!
His spoken reply of In rugby I was kicking stones with the pretty boys was a more gracious choice.
However, these thoughts do reveal plenty Sonny Bill Williams, we salute you! You are both a scholar, and a gentleman!
750 words.