Praise be, we are saved...

[ozbash]

After this mornings S14 semi results (South Africa showed everyone who wears the pants in the Sth Hemisphere !! ), I read this interesting piece.

Is it desperation on Henry's part ?

I think Robbie Deans will have better caliber players at his disposal, he has been re-building his squad very steadily over the last couple of seasons.

Tri-nations is going to be very interesting and if what is written below is right, could we see him in the Hong Kong game ?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/3728234/Sonny-Bill-gets-NZ-rugby-contract-offer

The once long odds of Sonny Bill Williams playing for the All Blacks have shortened with confirmation the New Zealand Rugby Union offered him a contract this week and news Williams will visit Auckland early next month to discuss a possible playing future here with coach Graham Henry.
Williams' contract with his French club Toulon recently expired and his management team has fielded offers from clubs from France, Britain, Japan and Australia. But little old New Zealand has stolen a march.
Despite the NZRU's offer being substantially less than what he currently earns, it includes one big carrot, a water-tight series of "opt-out clauses" which would free Williams to pursue other interests should he fail to make the grade in the All Blacks.
It effectively allows him to dip his toes in the New Zealand rugby scene to see if he likes it.
If he doesn't, he can go back to Toulon before his contract offer expires in 2012.
So far, Williams has made no public comment. But his management team of Khoder Nasser and his London based Kiwi legal representative Duncan Sandlant have both said they were "impressed" by the NZRU's attempts to "woo" Williams and there is genuine excitement closer to home that he may make the plunge.
Henry has gauged Blues coach Pat Lam's interest in slotting him into his squad and provincial union North Harbour is believed to have been the most proactive when the NZRU asked who would roll out the welcome mat.
Williams' partner, Jenna Shaw, has struck up a close relationship with the daughter of All Blacks great Bryan Williams, fuelling hopes in the Ponsonby club another famous Samoan may pull on their jersey.
Acting NZRU chief executive Neil Sorensen said the NZRU's offer "extends to the end of 2012 but we have included opt-out clauses".
Sorensen said the NZRU board "would not change its criteria on the [non] eligibility of overseas players" for the All Blacks.
"So we are trying to be as flexible as we can for Sonny. In an absolutely ideal world Sonny would play for a provincial union in the ITM Cup towards the end of July and then would be available for selection on the All Blacks' end-of-year tour.
"There is a lot of water to flow under that bridge. Sonny has a big decision to make.
Hopefully we will have an answer within the next three to four weeks."
Signing Williams would be a massive gamble. He is largely untested in rugby union. But Henry is keen to at least see how he fares in New Zealand.
"[Henry] has received some pretty good feedback about him," said Sorensen. "They talk about him not being the finished product but he has massive potential.
"He would attract a lot of interest from the fans, media, sponsors and sporting people in general. The key is to sit down with him, our All Blacks coaches and maybe a franchise coach and tell him what we can offer on and off the field."

 

[ozbash]

This is how serious Graham Henry is about luring Sonny Bill Williams back to New Zealand to play his rugby – the All Blacks coach is dangling the World Cup carrot, practically sight unseen.
Henry yesterday made his pitch for Williams, meeting with the 24-year-old's Sydney-based agent in Auckland and declaring beforehand he was hopeful the talented former NRL superstar would not put money ahead of his ambition to wear the black jersey.
The NZRU has made its offer to Williams, a deal which Henry describes as "sound" and which apparently will include an early release clause for the former Bulldogs star that will enable him to head back north should his All Blacks ambitions not work out.
But Henry hinted at the excitement with which Williams' developing game is now viewed in the corridors of power at the NZRU when he said he hoped the decision would come down more to sense than dollars.
Williams' previous deal at Toulon was said to be worth $600,000 a year after tax, and after a promising season in the Top 14 he could expect to improve that if he returned to France.
The NZRU's offer falls considerably below that.
"If it comes down to money we might get second," Henry said.
"But if it comes down to the desire of a young athlete to play for his country, to play in a Rugby World Cup perhaps, then that might clinch it."
Henry met with Williams' controversial Sydney-based agent, Khoder Nasser as he spent the day in Auckland, also visiting officials from the city's provincial unions, all of which have some interest in picking up the midfielder who is now off contract with Toulon.
Henry said Williams was a midfielder with utility value.
"Not too many rugby league players have adjusted as quickly as he has. We've been talking with Tana [Umaga] and he is very positive about Sonny Bill's ability," he said.
"So the vibes are good, and we really need to see him play live and see him play in this environment here. Hopefully, that will happen."
Henry admitted he had no sense of which way Williams was wavering, but conceded it would probably come down to his advisers.
"Originally he said he wouldn't come home unless he thought he had a chance. That's a pretty sound assessment on his part. But he's an athlete who relies on his advisers. He's not an athlete you can get alongside and give a bit of a nudge and say 'c'mon mate, get home and play rugby'.
"You have to do it through his advisers, and that's a pretty professional way of doing it. I think he's handled it well."
Just how successful Henry's pitch was will be known in a matter of weeks, if not days.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3737697/World-Cup-carrot-to-lure-Sonny-Bill

 

[andrew057]

Wow NZ Rugby must be really struggling if theyre willing to offer him an All Black jersey for the World Cup practially "sight unseen".

 

[ozbash]

Its not 'sight unseen' mate, there are some pretty clued up people keeping an eye on SBW, people who recognise his value.

He'll be there next year..

 

[ozbash]

Counties Manukau and the Crusaders have their noses in front in the race to sign Toulon's Sonny Bill Williams.
As revealed in last week's Star-Times, the New Zealand Rugby Union offered Williams a contract to play rugby here from July.
Since then, developments have moved at pace: Williams' agent Khoder Nasser visited New Zealand to talk turkey with Counties, North Harbour, Canterbury and All Blacks coach Graham Henry; and Williams himself touched down in Sydney early Friday and gave his first interview to Fairfax Media.
The flurry of activity has fuelled optimism Williams is serious about coming to New Zealand.
NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen is a believer. He said on Friday: "We are more confident this week... than before that he will come play rugby in New Zealand."
If the NZRU prevails, it now appears almost certain that he will link with his mentor, Tana Umaga, at Counties Manukau.
Umaga reports for his first day of work at the union on June 21, and coach Milton Haig was hopeful Williams would follow in his footsteps.
"I have been in constant contact with Tana. We are building a good rapport. He's fairly confident Sonny is keen to come home. We are hopeful here at Counties he will pick us."
Normally, that would set up the Chiefs to pick Williams in next year's Super 15, except the advent of franchise contracting and a set of one-off rules during the transition phase means Williams and Nasser may be able to pick and choose.
Nasser told sources last week that Williams wanted to play with Dan Carter "at the Crusaders". Carter commutes between Christchurch and his home-base Auckland and Williams could do the same.
In an interview in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday, Williams gave little away.
"There is a lot to think about, bro. I have said before that playing for the All Blacks is the dream of every young boy growing up in New Zealand, so it is something I have to weigh up. I am just thankful that they are interested.
"That is not to say I would go to New Zealand and just walk into the All Blacks. They are a very strong side with the calibre of players they have got, but I am always up for a challenge.
"Then again, I love Toulon so we'll see. It's a nice place and a nice country. The lifestyle there is good, the people are really good, the coaching set-up is great and I think you could see in my rugby that I was enjoying myself there.
"If I go back to Toulon, I am pretty sure they won't just let me sign another one-year contract. They want me to stay there for a bit longer than that, so if I go back there it will be for a while."
Williams may visit our shores sooner than most people think.
Sorensen expected he'd make a decision "in about 10 days" and confirmed Williams would have to pass an NZRU physical if he signed.
Before Williams left Toulon, his boss Mourad Boudjellal offered him a three year multimillion-dollar deal, but Williams said he trusted his agent to find the right deal: "That is what I have got him for. He can worry about that aspect of the rugby and I just worry about what happens on the field because I am a big believer that if you go well on the field, things fall into place."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/3754436/Counties-in-front-of-race-to-sign-Sonny-Bill

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Getting SBW to play rugby in NZ would probably revitalise the game in a country which seems to be losing interest. Well according to a lot of the press over there who have gone gaga over the soccer (sorry football).

 

[Mr Angry]

Well with the team winning the super 14s scoring one try and team losing scoring two, Kickby needs all the help it can get.

 

[ozbash]

Getting SBW to play rugby in NZ would probably revitalise the game in a country which seems to be losing interest. Well according to a lot of the press over there who have gone gaga over the soccer (sorry football).

they're trying to push it to the max, I personally dont think the AB's have a snowballs chance in hell of getting to the WCup semis (let alone win it).

A lot of people share that.

Tri nations and Bledisloe will be the benchmark.

Theyve only got themselves (IRB) to blame, people are pissed off with all the rule changes etc, 'fans' are talking with their feet..

GO THE MIGHTY ALL WHITES !!

 

[gunnamatta bay]

GO THE MIGHTY ALL WHITES !!

Don't you mean the mighty all blacks? They wore black shirts against Serbia and won 1 nil.

BTW do the rugby All Blacks have a monopoly on the name?

Whats to stop the soccer team using it?

 

[ozbash]

BTW do the rugby All Blacks have a monopoly on the name?

yep, registered trademark.

I think they are cool names, specially when we play in South Africa...

 

[Mr Angry]

:lol:

 

[gunnamatta bay]

yep, registered trademark.

I think they are cool names, specially when we play in South Africa...

so if the all whites choose to call themselves the all blacks they would be libel to some sort of legal challenge based on what exactly?

 

[ozbash]

yes, never happen though. there is only 1 AB team.

be like a corner dairy calling itself 'Harrods'.

 

[ozbash]

Sonny Bill Williams has turned his back on the richest contract in rugby union history to pursue his dream of playing for the All Blacks at next year's Rugby World Cup.
Williams, who has been starring for Toulon in France's Top 14 competition after walking out on the NRL's Bulldogs two years ago, will return to New Zealand after his June 30 fight on the undercard of close friend Anthony Mundine's KO To Drugs promotion in Brisbane and is expected to play his first match on home soil just weeks later.
An official announcement will be made early this week, although the 24-year-old is still undecided about which provincial and Super 15 teams he will link with during his 18-month contract with the NZRU.
According to sources close to his family in New Zealand, the catalyst behind Williams' decision was his mother, Lee, who lives in Auckland.
After helping pack his bags to move to Sydney nine years ago as the Bulldogs' youngest ever recruit, she told Williams: "It's time to come home Sonny. Come home and prove that you can be an All Black."
He also has two sisters in Auckland and his partner Genna's family also live there.
Before arriving in Australia nine days ago to begin preparing for the KO To Drugs bout, Williams had intended to wait until after his second professional fight to make a decision.
However, the pressure from Toulon had become intense and Williams felt he needed to give the club an answer on its reported world record $A6 million three-year offer.
The NZRU did not wish to comment late last night on suggestions it had landed its man, chief executive Steve Tew saying it had yet to hear confirmation from the Williams camp he was intending to take up the union's offer.
"We have no more information, so there is not much point commenting until we have something from them," said Tew.
It's understood the NZRU has been quietly confident ever since the day Williams' manager Khoder Nasser spent with All Blacks coach Graham Henry in Auckland, though it has been wary of counting its chickens given the tempting nature of the offer that was coming from Toulon.
It is not the first time Williams has put his on-field goals ahead of money after rejecting a $A1m per season offer from St Helens in 2005 to stay at the Bulldogs for a third of that amount. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/3781539/Sonny-Bill-Williams-set-to-sign-with-NZRU

 

[ozbash]

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is shaping as the kingmaker as Sonny Bill Williams decides whether to play for the Crusaders next year.
The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday reported former Kiwis rugby league international Williams will reject a massive financial offer from French club Toulon and sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union this week in a bid to represent the All Blacks at next year's World Cup.
Williams has reputedly been offered around $6 million over three years by Toulon but his mother, Lee, who lives in Auckland – the city Williams was born and grew up in – is encouraging him to return.
Now the scramble is on between the Crusaders and Blues to grab the 24-year-old for next year's Super 15, and the South Island franchise will be his top priority if Smith gets his way.
"Smithy is very keen for Sonny Bill to play for the Crusaders," an insider said yesterday. "I would say they are absolutely in the running (to sign Williams). This is a genuine matter."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/3782973/Smith-steers-Sonny-Bill-Williams-to-Crusaders

 

[meltiger]

yep, registered trademark.

I think they are cool names, specially when we play in South Africa...

LOL! :lol:


This was an old comment but wanted to question something Oz,


You said people are upset by rules changes etc


Are you talking about the ELV's, lack of ELV's at international level or something else altogether?


Surely NZ (Bar the Cheatsaders) see the ELV's as a bad thing?

 

[ozbash]

The only country to benefit from the law changes imo is South Africa, as seen in this years S14.

What has pissed a lot of people off are the regular ELV's. They try something, stuff it up, then try it again differently.

Ireland landed in NZ this week and the first comment the coach makes isabout interpretation..

If it aint broke.....

 

[meltiger]

There seems to be a lot more try scoring going on though. No one wants a game full of goalkicking like the '03 world cup was.


Only reason SA sides "dominated" this years comp (How did the Cats, Cheetahs, Sharks track btw lol) is because of NSW's woeful performance in Invercargil. Had they won their that night an Aussie side would have made the final.

ACT/QLD were super competitive, Auckland had their moments. 12 months ago the Chiefs made the final. The Cheats I thought actually performed quite well in their semi (Amazing what you can do when forced to play football and not rack up 40 points from counter attacking from mistakes), that game only blew out in the last 10 mins or so.

Hardly SA domination. The Bulls are by far and away the best outfit, but the rest of the top 10 could be split by a hair.

 

[ozbash]

Senior All Blacks are keen to see Sonny Bill Williams add his talent to the New Zealand game.
Williams, the league star who has made a successful switch to rugby with French club Toulon, has been heavily courted by the New Zealand Rugby Union and is expected to officially announce tonight that he is accepting their offer.
Australian journalists close to the Williams camp reported at the weekend that the New Zealander had decided to turn down an estimated $6 million offered by Toulon and accept an NZRU deal worth significantly less as he chases his ambition of wearing the All Balck jersey.
It appears he has made a mark on those in the know. All Blacks coach Graham Henry is clearly keen to involve Williams in his World Cup plans.
That will be the carrot to outweigh a massive new offer from Toulon.
And Henry would get no argument from Dan Carter, Brad Thorn and Cory Jane who all believe Williams is a talent too good to ignore.
Carter described Williams as "a real athlete".
"I haven't had a chance to see him play a full 80 to be honest. But just looking at him he looks like an athlete with real potential so if they were to get him back that would be great.
"I've heard that he has played a lot better during his second year. It's obviously very tough to adjust but he seems to be improving which is good. He will only get better the more he plays."
Williams has suggested if he does come to New Zealand he would like to play his Super 15 rugby with the Crusaders where he could operate in a midfield outside Carter, a first five he has immense respect for.
That brought a twinkle to Carter's eye today.
"If he plays in New Zealand it would be great to have him down there. He's a big man and it would be a good sign to have him running off your shoulder every now and then."
Thorn, arguably the best league convert to make it in rugby, had high praise for Williams and sensed he was really coming to grips with his new game now.
"I can't speak highly enough about him as an athlete," said Thorn, renowned for his fitness, who has first hand experience of tangling with Williams during his stints in the NRL with the Broncos.
"Usually you hear hype about a guy but they never usually fulfil that. But when I went back to league I thought he lived up to that hype.
"He's an amazing athlete. He's probably an inch shorter than I am and he has footwork, he's super powerful and just a natural footballer.
"I think he would go really well. It looks like he is really starting to warm up over in Europe. It could be quite exciting to see him play."
All Blacks fullback-wing Cory Jane is another who sees value in getting hold of Williams.
"It would be exciting if New Zealand get him," Jane said.

"He's a pretty good talent. You name it, he can do it ... league, boxing, rugby.
"It's just a matter of fitting him in with the quality midfielders we have. But it's good."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ior-All-Blacks-back-the-snaring-of-Sonny-Bill

 

[ozbash]

Hardly SA domination.

they learnt quicker than anyone else then, specially around the breakdown. The huge SA props were ideally suited to bulldozing the opposition.

I think if they perservere with the major changes, either some good will come of it or we'll just accept it like we always have done in the past.

More tries scored should equate to a better spectacle, you'd think. But when the only real attacking moves are the rucks/mauls 10 mtrs out followed by a pushover, it gets a bit yawnish...

I dont know really, Tri Nations this year will be the proof of the pudding for me, I hope Aussie gets some form (and us , for that matter) and we stick it up the boks.

Then we get France/Poms next year in the W/Cup and that will offer a completely different perspective..

So, I'm not totally sold on the ELVs, I am slightly more entertained by rugby now and hope it continues to tickle my fancy, so to speak

Your Victorian team better front up next year mate,,, or else