SBW and the World Cup

[ozbash]

Sonny Bill Williams will be eligible for selection in the season-ending Rugby League World Cup even if he hasn't signed an NRL contract for next year.
The future of Williams remains uncertain after signing only a one-year deal with the Roosters. The Bondi Junction outfit is desperate to retain him and the ARLC have earmarked changes to the salary cap which will make league a more attractive option for marquee players.
However, the lure of returning to rugby - including the prospect of Olympic Sevens representation and another World Cup tilt in the 15-man code - will also be strong for one of the biggest drawcards in either code. And it's also unclear what impact his boxing commitments could have on his availability should he opt to return to the ring in the offseason.
However, Williams would be eligible to play in league's showpiece international event if he remains a free agent, while it's possible he could be considered even if he defected back to rugby.
''From an RLIF point of view, the federation would work hard to ensure the best possible players represent their country,'' said Rugby League International Federation secretary Andrew Hill.
''If Sonny hasn't got a registered contract with the NRL, I don't see that as being a reason for him not to participate in the Rugby League 2013 World Cup.
''I understand Sonny Bill would be eligible for Samoa and New Zealand, therefore it's a matter of those two nations to work with him.''
The rule also applies to departing Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall, who could make his league swansong at international level before switching to union. Asked if a player was eligible for the World Cup even if contracted to a rival code, Hill - who also holds an executive posting at the ARLC - said: ''That would be a matter the RLIF board would have to consider in conjunction with the member nations of the international federation.''
Injuries have limited Williams to just seven Tests between 2004 and 2008 and he wasn't part of the team which upset Australia in the last World Cup final. While Kiwi officials are desperate for him to be part of their title defence, Williams also qualifies for Samoa.
Manly centre Steve Matai, who has represented New Zealand on 10 occasions, will switch his allegiance to Samoa. He has already be in Williams' ear in an attempt to get him to do likewise.
''After our last game we played against the Roosters, I had a quick chat to him afterwards,'' Matai said.
''I said: 'What are you doing at the end of the year? Let's go play for Samoa.' ''He hadn't made his mind up yet. I think he'll get a lot of backlash if he chooses to play for Samoa instead of New Zealand. But I'll ask, don't worry about that.'' Matai has also been chipping away at another school friend with dual eligibility, Thomas Leuluai. The trio attended Mount Albert Grammar in Auckland together and Matai has raised the prospect of reuniting for the Pacific nation. They have until early October to decide their direction.
''There is no specific timeline other than for the ability administration of the RLIF to satisfy their eligibility,'' Hill said.
''The week after the NRL and Super League grand finals is the week each nation must submit their playing squad to the World Cup organisers.''

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/8964433/Sonny-Bill-eligible-for-Kiwis-World-Cup-selection

 

[aqua_duck]

Imagine a kiwi forward pack of:
8.JWH
9.Issac Luke
10.Ben Matulino
11.Simon Mannering
12.SBW
13.Jeremy Smith

14.Sam Kasiano
15.Jesse Bromwich
16.Greg Eastwood/Pritchard

 

[Diesel]

I hope he plays, how many players can say they won both the RL and RU World Cups

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Matai, what a f**king wanker.

 

[Dr Crane]

Matai, what a f**king wanker.

and in breaking news....i'm glad to be rid of the f**kwit

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Good onya Steve keep up the good work

 

[Bobby DIGital]

"lets go play for Samoa!"

LOL man Kearney's dislike for Matai could end up costing us big time.

But seriously, why would SBW want to play for a team who has zero chance of winning the WC?...They got pumped by Tonga. Sure they'll be a better side with Matai, Milford and maybe Papalii but they aren't going to make the final 4.

I'll be very surprised if SBW plays in the WC at this stage. He seems to want to "box" at the end of the year. He should actually be forced to play for us tbh. He never wrote a letter saying he wants to be excluded from selection. We should all join twitter and bombard him with requests to play for us....LIKE HE SHOULD.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Good onya Steve keep up the good work

Good onya Steve keep up the good work trying to poach our best second rower and interchange hooker/utility :lol:

Matais record in a Kiwi jersey. Getting sent off. Costing us our best chance of an ANZAC Test win in years. Missing countless Tests through inury/suspension. Trying to get arguably our best player to switch to another nation. Good work Steve! ;-)

 

[Abdullah]

Since when does any top NRL player get "poached" these days? They're all grown men entitled to make their own decisions (with a little help from their managers)...as for SBW...well we've seen that SBW does whats best for SBW...wouldnt lose sleep over it...I think that the Samoan team will look vastly different to the one thrashed by Tonga in the "friendly"

 

[Fast Eddie]

Since when does any top NRL player get "poached" these days? They're all grown men entitled to make their own decisions (with a little help from their managers)...as for SBW...well we've seen that SBW does whats best for SBW...wouldnt lose sleep over it...I think that the Samoan team will look vastly different to the one thrashed by Tonga in the "friendly"

I don't get this attitude at all, I'd be disappointed if our best player decided to play for another nation. Much more disappointed than if he decides to do boxing or whatever instead.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Good onya Steve keep up the good work trying to poach our best second rower and interchange hooker/utility :lol:

Matais record in a Kiwi jersey. Getting sent off. Costing us our best chance of an ANZAC Test win in years. Missing countless Tests through inury/suspension. Trying to get arguably our best player to switch to another nation. Good work Steve! ;-)

So still done plenty more than this other superstar has done in the kiwis shirt

It's no secret I wouldn't be losing any sleep over him not playing for us, won a world cup when he walked out on his country once before and no reason why we couldn't do it again without him. I note the Chiefs seem to be going ok without him this year

Personally I'd be happier to see him in the ring with Joesph Parker during November than over in England

Whatever you toss back at me that opinion won't be changing

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Richie Barnett's articles in the Herald, trying to talk down SBW and indicating he might not play, would suggest maybe he knows something about the (un)likelihood of him playing. Would be no shock if he opted to do something else instead but would be a kick in the teeth if he played for another country.

One thing SBW has never done so far, for all his questionable loyalty, is turn out for another country, but you get the feeling with some of these blokes that their loyalties only extend to not playing for Australia. I know the Polynesian guys are proud of their heritage but it annoys me a bit when that translates to a lack of pride in being a Kiwi. I know SBW's background and he is a Kiwi ffs (of course, so is Matai).

 

[Micistm]

"lets go play for Samoa!"

LOL man Kearney's dislike for Matai could end up costing us big time.

But seriously, why would SBW want to play for a team who has zero chance of winning the WC?...They got pumped by Tonga. Sure they'll be a better side with Matai, Milford and maybe Papalii but they aren't going to make the final 4.

I'll be very surprised if SBW plays in the WC at this stage. He seems to want to "box" at the end of the year. He should actually be forced to play for us tbh. He never wrote a letter saying he wants to be excluded from selection. We should all join twitter and bombard him with requests to play for us....LIKE HE SHOULD.

I think he will play, I don't he'll want to defend his boxing 'title.' That said though, IMO you don't 'force' anyone to represent their country. You are either proud and honoured to do it- or you can bugger off

 

[Diesel]

SBW would want to win a WC before he switches back to RU for the next WC in 2015 to say he is the only person to have won WC's in two different rugby codes, and to decide to play for Samoa, that won't happen.

f**k Matai is a dickwad, and this was my opinion before the whole eligibility thing

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Matai trying to get him to play of Samoa is no different at all to what the likes of Vagana and co have been trying to achieve with Samoa

Just on SBW :lol:, word in Australia is that he is upset at Beau Ryan taking the piss out of him and has put a complaint in to David Gyngell :lol: :lol: :lol: Hilarious if true

 

[Bobby DIGital]

^LOL where did you hear that? I hope that's true.

I would have liked to see him obliterate that clown Ryan a couple weeks back.

 

[Micistm]

Matai trying to get him to play of Samoa is no different at all to what the likes of Vagana and co have been trying to achieve with Samoa

Nor Kiwi hieracy sifting through Aussies for Kiwi heritage for that matter

 

[Micistm]

^LOL where did you hear that? I hope that's true.

I would have liked to see him obliterate that clown Ryan a couple weeks back.

If it is true and gets out, it's going to make $BW look a bit of an oversensitive Dick who takes himself too seriously IMO, tons have had the mick taken out of em on the Footy Show and don't have an issue with it.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Matai trying to get him to play of Samoa is no different at all to what the likes of Vagana and co have been trying to achieve with Samoa

Well I think it sort of is, targeting a current star as opposed to guys who probably won't be picked.

Having said that, while it's good for the game to have strong Tonga and Samoa sides, they are sort of fake sides in a way. 90% of these blokes are predominantly Kiwi or Aussie in "nationality" as opposed to "ethnicity" terms. It's all a bit artificial.

 

[parraeels2010]

No benji
No SBW
Kearney as coach

NZ have no chance in the world cup