Cashed-up Force ready to pounce on Sonny Bill

[travelling_gerry]

Danny Weidler
September 4, 2011


THE Western Force have emerged as the secret player in the hunt for All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams. Any number of teams from New Zealand have been linked to SBW and the Waratahs also had a quiet sniff to secure him. It's the Force who have been lurking in the background. They are cashed up and desperate for a big name to lift rugby's profile in the west after James O'Connor's decision to join the Melbourne Rebels. The rugby league hunt for the former Canterbury Bulldogs star is on as well. As keen as the Sydney Roosters are, they do have one slight reservation - and it has nothing to do with his footballing ability. Be sure, the club does not want any more drama in its ranks after everything it went through this season. SBW will not put a foot out of line off the field - his manager, Khoder Nasser, has him well drilled and his Muslim faith doesn't allow him to drink. The Roosters are wary of the likely attacks on SBW to emerge from a certain section of the press because of its ongoing campaign against him. It was a big reason Sonny Bill wanted to leave the NRL. Clearly that will be an issue he would think about carefully if he were to contemplate returning to the NRL.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...#ixzz1WuQtrNrJ

[todd4]

Does SBW have any connection to Perth?

If he was looking to go somewhere purely for the money then he will head to Europe or Japan. We may be 'cashed up' but considering what he could earn elsewhere I don't think we are in the same league.

[Burgs]

Dear God NO!!!
The last thing the Force needs is another sideshow, and this cat is the whole damn alley!!!

[TOCC]

Waste of money
Posted via Mobile Device

[Darren]

Give the cash to the clubs, they need it more than Sonny Bill ...

[Sheikh]

If the Force signed him, I'd gladly cheer for him, but I'd rather we develop our own guys.

Since when were the Force 'cashed up', anyway? I thought we were losing money because of the smaller attendances at NIB.

[WF1964]

We haven't seen the price of 2012 memberships yet....

[Garfiep]

We haven't seen the price of 2012 memberships yet....

HEE HEE HEE

50% SBW premium on all memberships - connection to Perth are legit, fair and quality boxing matches against the best available fighters from around the world lol

[Tazzmania]

Like him or not he has the X factor, in a big way, I would love to see him on board.

Doubt anything will happen but I sure hope it does.

He is the missing ingredient we need for next year, good forward pack to get the ball, SBW to head up the middle and off load to one of the outside backs to steam past opposition.

Imagine Chuckie making a break and SBW steaming onto the ball, I am salivating at the thought, hope I do not wake up tomorrow and find its all a dream

[travelling_gerry]

I think its a beat up.

But imagine all the cuzzy bros who would have to support the

[robyn <3]

Woah, so many haters. I'm a huge SBW fan. He actually does have a brand of rugby which is really fabulous to watch, and I'd love seeing him in some Western Force blue. I accept he's a mercenary, but he's a bloody great footy player, would be an asset for us, and would be able to help with our players development.

He's also be a HUGE crowd draw, I remember in my packed block for the Saders game this year some women sitting near me didn't have a clue what was happening - It was just about where's Sonny Bill. However I think we won't quite get that lucky, I thought the Chiefs were dead set almost?

[Hoolly Doolly]

I think SBW needs to stay in NZ for the sake of his own reputation and credibility.
Also he left Canterbury in order to be closer to family in Auckland and Waikato.....if that a high priority then why in the hell would he come to perth which is about as far away as one can be.
Atm it appears we're pretty stacked in the centres. I prefer another outside back. Sivivatu or gear comes to mind should it have to be a foreigner.

[James]

SBW is too much of an injury liability to be worthwhile.

[shasta]

I accept he's a mercenary, but he's a bloody great footy player, would be an asset for us, and would be able to help with our players development.

He's many things but I wouldn't say mercenary is one of them. If money was his motivation he'd still be sunning himself on the Riviera at 2 mil a year. Maybe he didn't fancy being starved of good pill by Toulon's new season fly-half signing.

[TOCC]

The Force needs a long term solution, not these quick fixes..

SBW isnt going to sign for more then 12months, yeah you might have a spike of interest during that time but his presence will do the team image more harm then good over the long term.