Sonny Bill verdict: He held his own

[prop53]

Well thats my point he played a bit of both so not a Union Virgin
SHASTA

(Correction. He, along with probably half the kids who take up either code in NSW & Qld, played a bit of BOTH)
And i have no animosity towards the other code i just dont like it period.

[shasta]

Well thats my point he played a bit of both so not a Union Virgin
SHASTA


And i have no animosity towards the other code i just dont like it period.

Sure sounds different....

This is what stinks with ex league players get their chances not because of their skill level in union but of who they use to be in a pass life

Lots of sports I don't like too, fair cop there. I was just commenting that you seem to have a prejudice against ex-league players as well as the game itself but in fact many of the players you think are RL boys maybe played both.

[prop53]

Shasta in the main you are correct i do have a prejudice against league in general it as always been for the money from the start back in Yorkshire in the good old days. And untill recent years union was for the love of the sport itself. In my playing days thats how things were i wont change my views on that. So no animosity just plain dislike of it

[jono]

Not really, he might be a bit raw at the moment but like you and several others have pointed out, he does have potential.

Why do you never see him playing in Australia? I know he has stated that he eventually wants an AB jersey, thats the only reason I can think of

I guess i'm just a bit unsure of henry picking a player who isnt representing a NZ side for the allblacks...

i think if he really wants to be an allblack, he will play for a NZ province in super rugby.

i'd gladly have him at the force though. he would be a huge asset to rugby in WA. i think his skills could be honed and utilised at the force.

[jargan83]

I guess i'm just a bit unsure of henry picking a player who isnt representing a NZ side for the allblacks...

Graham Henry would pick the best possible 22 for the AB's. But I'm pretty sure that NZ rules regarding AB selection still require the player to play for a NZ based side, so at the moment he would have to play for in NZ. I have read articles that suggest that the NZRU will relax this requirement and a player may be able to play for anyone in the Super 14 but haven't read anything since.

He still has 2 seasons up north anyway becasue SBW signed a contract extension with Toulon earlier this year

[jono]

Graham Henry would pick the best possible 22 for the AB's. But I'm pretty sure that NZ rules regarding AB selection still require the player to play for a NZ based side, so at the moment he would have to play for in NZ. I have read articles that suggest that the NZRU will relax this requirement and a player may be able to play for anyone in the Super 14 but haven't read anything since.

He still has 2 seasons up north anyway becasue SBW signed a contract extension with Toulon earlier this year

so he would be able to negotiate a contract for super rugby in 11 or 12?

[jargan83]

so he would be able to negotiate a contract for super rugby in 11 or 12?

http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/11...ulon-contract/

[jono]

they are confident of a 3 year contract with SB.
so he wouldnt be in the southern hemisphere until at least 2013 if that pans out.

[jargan83]

Well it said that Williams favours a 2 year deal, which would probably rule him out of the 2011 RWC at least. Age is on his side though, he is still only 23

[jono]

yeah. if he was to sign a 2 or 3 year deal with toulon. he is still young enough to play in a world cup for the allblacks.

who knows where he will end up...
hmm thats a bit too deep for a monday night. i'm going to bed.