Ma’a Nonu
Make the most of Sonny Bill Williams in the Pool rounds, because come the RWC quarter finals and onwards, he’ll be sitting in the stands with the commoners.
The only exception to that rule will be an injury to Sonny Bill’s nemesis, Ma’a Nonu. It’s amazing how the New Zealand brains trust have changed their minds between the Super Rugby and International stage.
To think Ma’a Nonu and Cory Jane hardly registered on the radar following a dismal Super Rugby campaign. Now, only weeks later, superior form on the international stage has forced Nonu’s entry back into Graham Henry’s First XV.
Conversely, Sonny Bill was the standout centre in the 2011 Super Rugby season and had done more than enough to justify starting rights in Henry’s line-up. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the big man had the hallowed number ‘12’ etched somewhere on his torso.
That was until Nonu wrenched the said jersey from William’s grasp. So back to the tattoo studio Sonny Bill traipsed to replace 12 with 22. And that’s a 22 on a good day.
The reason for this is that bench duties are the domain of the versatile. Players like Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Israel Dagg and to a lesser extent, Zac Guildford, can fit in more easily than Sonny Bill does.
At the moment, Williams sits second in line, he’s virtually non-existent when it comes to the pecking order on the bench. That’s why SBW watched the All Blacks v Wallabies Tri-Nations decider from the stands on Saturday.
It’s a bleak scenario and somewhat deflating after the elation of his RWC selection, which was the reason he switched codes in the first place. Rugby’s strongest brand will put on a brave face, but he’ll be gutted.
Which is fantastic.
Because from Sonny Bill’s perspective, this situation puts him in the exact frame of mind required to have murderous intent with every opportunity afforded him in the Pool rounds.
What’s more, he’ll be running at full capacity with a full belly, a luxury denied to him during his August Ramadan fasting regime, albeit self-inflicted.
Perhaps prayer and fasting is what Sonny Bill is relying on. As at this point, it’s going to take divine intervention to see his dream of Rugby World Cup greatness beyond the Pool rounds come to pass.
I hope he gets a shot.
