Sonny Days Ahead?

Well, Sonny Bill Williams has decided to sign with the NZRFU in the hope of playing for the All Blacks in next year's World Cup. That's professional Rugby for you. It's a no brainer really because although he will temporarily be on less money than if he had signed with Toulon he will make up for it long term. He is only 24 and making the All Blacks will not only be a feather in his cap but also a great bargaining chip when he decides to head back overseas.

On one hand you can't blame him and there is no doubting his ability but one can help get the feeling there is a bit of hollowness about the whole thing. This could either be a masterstroke by those involved or the first chink in the armour of the All Black’s attempt to win the World Cup. Personally I think it's the case of the latter.

Since 1987 the All Blacks have tried in vain to secure the Web Ellis and mostly have themselves to blame in my opinion. They have simply tried too hard. In 1991 they mistakenly choose 2 coaches to share the duties, in 1995 were dubbed the fittest ever side to leave NZ's shores but were supposedly food poisoned, embarrassingly had their front row emblazoned on the side of a plane in 1999, have had rotation policies, reconditioning programmes and despite being favourites every year they have come up short.

The players in the 1987 side simply focused on doing their jobs better than anyone else. They had players in their proper positions and they didn't big note themselves. They were humble and quietly went about their work without fuss. Wayne Shelford for example was really big on players just doing their jobs and letting the result take care of itself. The team came first and like clockwork they dominated the inaugural tournament.

There is a kind of a take-what-I-can-get mentality from Sonny Bill that irks me a little. I appreciate it is early days and maybe I'm wrong but has there ever been evidence of him giving back? I watch the State of Origin games and admire the way the Alan Langers and Joey Johns of this world are still heavily involved in the game. They are seen running on the water bottles and generally offering advice when called upon. It always appears somewhat selfishly too but can't see Sonny Bill ever doing that for the Kiwis for example.

Spending the amount of money they are on Sonny Bill is a waste if they are not going to select him in the All Blacks. How much of a distraction will this be and what kind of pressure does it place on the selectors? What will constitute bad form? I get the feeling that he would have to play pretty poorly not to be selected. Also, what about fringe players that have been plying their trade in NZ and then being overlooked? What sort of message does that send? Just not sure this is the right way to go for the All Blacks and once again this decision could be the start of another disastrous campaign. It's early days but this decision may come back to haunt them.