The Sonny Bill affair is a big one.

Well, well.

The Sonny Bill Williams affair is opening all kinds of ozzie worms, especially for League. It is league, yet again, eating itself. From the look of the Aussie papers, rugby league is now genuinely worried about where it sits in the grand scheme of things. Their biggest star walks out the door to play union, and the questions are actually pretty immense.

And to boot, a relatively dreary few years (for Aussies at least) of Bledisloe action, is turned around by one of the greatest games I have watched that happens on the same weekend (and, Yes, I am a Kiwi).

I will admit now that I ain't no leagueie. I have never liked the game as a spectacle and it is too Australian for me in its focus. I remember clearly John Gallaghar going to league and many following after him. Before Rugby went pro, its players were fair game and there were genuine fears that there would be little left. And there was little sympathy from our league friends.

Which is why Yallop is deluded/insane/thick/maybe just Austrlian if he thinks the RFU is going to help him. Oh the IRONY!!!!! So funny and a really dumb thing to say.

The shoe has, however, been firmly on the other foot for a while now though. However, I had perceived league to be gaining traction over the past couple of years. especially in Oz. However, it would appear to be league that really has to be concerned about its direction.

The arguments in Oz are large at present. Many for....many against. However, the overriding fear amongst the leagueies is that there is a huge amount more to come. The gloss has gone and this is but the start.

This interview between David Yallop (head of NRL) and Phil Gould (Aussie league legend) is amazing. Phil Gould speaking the sense, Yallop the beaurcratic garbage (sound familiar Union /AB fans?)

http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=40016

This has split the league world in Oz. Only bugger is that the it all happens just as the AB's are looking a little rough.

Oh the Irony!

yeah, my AFL supporting mates find this all rather lol and hope for the death of both codes so that more people watch the real football.

I am always amazed by AFL.

Only in OZ and will always be only in OZ.

But the biggest winter sport in Victoria certainly, but perhaps in Australia?

Proof you don't need an international competition to succeed.

However, that would appear to be part of the current problem for league. Would you rather play an Aussie - Kiwi test at Homebusg in front of 20,000. Or would you rather play at Stade de France, Twickenham, Millenium Stadium (and Homebush) in front of 80 000.

Not an issue with AFL though. It has never ceased to amaze me the crowds they get at say the MCG for even regulation games.

The real irony here is that this is all happening in a centenary year of a sport created because of the perceived mistreatment of players in the other code.

That's not entirely true. They play an "international rules" game against the irish gaelic football team every year

AFL is probably best compared to the NFL, although Canada does play an almost identical version (very slight differences) it's almost entirely isolated to the US in terms of the professional game. Given the size of the fan base and the patriotic feeling it invokes it is very much in the same situation as AFL... As far as I know all other big American sports have decent international competitions (does baseball?), and yet the NFL doesn't need it at all, which is basically in the same position, barring QLD and NSW it is easily the biggest sport in Aussie.

except that the US has ten times the population

Peter Fitzsimmons was hardcase on The Footy show lastnight.

On the NRL: You guys are like 'Hey Sonny, we'll ban you...WE'LL BAN YOU'...UM, HELLO, HE'S NOT COMING BACK!

Shit, I completely forgot. I'll try to catch the highlights tonight.

Don't miss it yo. It was a weird show lastnight. They had a great forum with the CEO of Manly, player agent Wayne Beavis and Fitzsimmons. They were dropping figures on how much $$$ the clubs and NRL make. And it aint much

yallop lol

Its David Gallop

lol

No it's not :\

You guys too quick, was a typo, and it's already been changed

Yes but Austrlia has more than enough population to sustain AFL, NFL has an uniquely American feel to it whereas AFL has an uniquely Australian feel.

*Should that be 'an' or 'a' uniquely... An sounds wrong but uniquely starts with a vowel.

It's got to do with the sound and not the letter. unique starts with a "you" sound. Use AN when the word starts with a vowel SOUND not a vowel LETTER

Thanks!

2011 RWC Backline

10. Daniel Carter
12. Luke McAlister
13. Sonny Bill Williams


http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4648246a22363.html?source=RSSrugbyheaven/headlines_20080808

At least he is sticking to his guns...

And what epic guns they are!

I thought Toulon was gonna play Williams at 12??

I think he is more suitable for center and being a young talented athlete he is, especially under Tana's guidance, he will do well in Union.

Did you guys watch the footy show?

Poor guy looked in all sorts of dissaray. Few things I took from it is this:

Anthony and Khoder had a much bigger part to play in him leaving that he is giving up. He is a 22yr old boy, people with such big profiles makes you listen, specially when they give you the attension that you are obviously looking for. He is very angry about what Folkes said to him about his new mates, as a coach I recon he had the right to stand up and say something to his star player. SBW used this as another excuse I recon to leave the club.

The Bulldogs is a dog of a club. What he said about Kane Cleal not getting his $20K bonus because of injury is ridiculous. Furhter more Corey Hughes and what he mentioned about him not getting one more year was The Hughes ARE the Bulldogs Steve, Glenn and dad Garry all played for them. SICK!

After he signed his 5yr deal and the big players walked out, he had the right to ask for a payrise. He made some very valid points in regards to what he was to the Bulldogs in regards to earning them money via ads, promo's and the likes. Money was indeed a big factor in him leaving and I recon Toulon said to him that he needs to start the season there or else no contract.

I don't really blame him for walking out on the Dogs, they just don't look like "The Family Club" that Price use to talk about.

Good luck to him and I can't wait to see him in black!

He will play at 12.

Yep 12 for Toulon but the RWC is 3 years away

Interview transcript here:
http://sportal.com.au/league-news-display/interview-transcript-54048

I'm hoping to catch it on the replay tonight.

Seems they've removed the transcript.

I've recorded it... if I can figure out how to get it from my STB to my PC then I can stick it somewhere for you to download

Where can I catch the broadcast of this game??

After watching the SBW interview I feel sorry for the kid. He doesn't know what the hell he's doing.
He'll never make the AB's unless the NZRU change the selection policy...and I can't see that happening. What I think will happen is he'll play union for 2 years, get sick of it and come back to league via the UK Superleague. Then we'll see him back in a Kiwi league jersey...WHERE HE BELONGS.

Why would the NZRU have to change their selection policies? You saying he wouldn't be allowed to play rugby here?
Difficulties with Super 14 thanks to him not being allowed in Australia?

The NRL need to back off, IMO. 6 weeks ago it was the greatest competition on earth and all of a sudden they've turned it into a complete disaster. Not much has actually changed - cull a few clubs and deal with a couple of players going overseas and MOVE ON. League is so much bigger than one Kiwi player - they're just making a mockery of their own game.

He won't stay in France. Prob 2 years max then try and get into a S14 franchise before taking on the AB's jersey.

I can't see the NZRU offering him a Super rugby contract TBH. And if he suddenly becomes the best centre in the union world in 2 years it'll only raise his earning potential in Europe...and we all know the NZRU can't compete with those clubs money-wise.

The actual best players will all be here for the RWC. Lukey Mac, Hayman, etc, if they're still the best, will be here to play their rugby in NZ in time to be selected for the ABs.

i'm sorry bundy, but i think you've got it all wrong.


btw <3 SBW

QFT.

Can't wait to see him in an ABs jersey

well, i hope i am wrong in a way.

ah well, all eyes on toulon in the meantime.

Breaking news: The Bulldogs have won a NSW Supreme Court injunction blocking runaway NRL star Sonny Bill Williams from playing rugby union in France.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/bulldogs/dogs-refuse-to-give-up/2008/08/08/1218139037789.html

the saga continues...

Doggies and the NRL are digging themselves a big hole here.

No one's under any illusions about the gravity of what he's done - I think this is doing a lot more damage to the game than it needed to.

He's just said he won't consider playing for france - "I'm a kiwi through and through - I'm very proud of my heritage"

Needs to learn how to tackle in rugby:

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4649956a22363.html

nah... rugby players just need to harden up!





Still think the shoulder charge shouldn't be banned in rugby

So SBW is gonna pay the Dogs 750k to get his release.

The Dogs wanted 1 million!

That's really not to bad, IMO.

Is he paying it or is Toulon? It's probably not that much cash to Toulon.

^ It's coming out of SBW's own pocket. He's basically returning the money he made this year, and some.

"Toulon has nothing to do with any of this. This is about Sonny Bill making a payment to the Dogs not about his club in France bailing him out."

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/richo-to-the-rescue/2008/08/16/1218307316403.html

Hmmm... very interesting. I wonder how unexpected the settlement is for SBW. Did someone prepare him for the fact it might cost him three-quarters of a million dollars to disappear?

I read somewhere that Greg Inglis is firing his current manager, and is hiring Khoder Nasser. GF winner, Clive Churchill medal winner, State of O winner...he's gone. NRL must be shitting demselves.

I read that he was definitely going to think about it bundy, but hasn't actually done any hiring and firing yet.


Am pretty amazed at the fact that SBW is the one paying the Bulldogs... I simply assumed it would be Toulon forking out the cash.

I'm sceptical about that. I'm sure SBW won't end up too out of pocket in the end.

Inglis would be an incredible loss to the game

If Toulon was paying I'm pretty sure the Dogs would skin them for more than 750k.

Sounds like SBW carved up in the game against Saracens...

Still pretty gutted that he's not in the NRL anymore

Apparently it was The Man who fronted up the cash for SBW to get his release

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24219075-5006067,00.html

Toulon games now going to show on Rugby Channel. This is awesome

oh dear...

A lonely and homesick Sonny Bill Williams is contemplating a return to Australia and the rugby league career he abandoned to play at French rugby club Toulon, Australian media report.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10533850

It's bullshit.

Yeah, with his massive salary, lots of hot french women around. Sure thing. I believe that.

According to that same article, he is upset at the way he's bring treated by the club owner and he's only on a 1 year contract anyway...

But yeah... Smells a bit off though.

Maybe he wants to collect his 'most hated man in australia' award in person.

This is an made-up Aussie media beat-up story purely to keep popularity up a week after he was voted most hated person in Aus...

R

I think in time, if not just yet, SBW will come to regret what he did.

Still, <3 SBW

I think he probably already regrets the way he went about it - leaving in secret, mid-season.

Looks like Tana's on the outer at Toulon too - shambles! All it will take is another French club to pick them both up and everything will be back on track. Sounds like their owner is a dipstick.

Superleague would be a better fit for SBW. He'll still get a decent wedge and can play for the Kiwis

Yes, Superleague please SBW...

Still not happy that he's going to be playing "kick tennis" for the next few years :>

Two words.

One begins with A.

The other begins with B.

:>

Atlanta Braves? Dont think he has what it takes to play baseball PFunk

Unfortunately he can't play any league for any other club than the Bulldogs until 2012.

Stink one; I thought he just couldn't play for any other NRL team

According to the Herald he is only banned from the NRL till 2013

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&amp;objectid=10533850

O I C.



My bad!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10533928



...annnnnnd the Bulldogs say: "Thanks but no thanks!"

Did you really think they will say "Ahh yeah sure we will have him back!"

Its all just Aussie medie trying to make something out of nothing. They expected more from the SBW saga and will prob not stop till they think they milked it enough.

Seems like those other stories were all just gossip.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4705196a1823.html

loooool

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/lets-get-sonny-bill/2008/09/27/1222217555694.html

Wait a minute Sonny Bill was voted most hated, beating ridiculously more qualified participants such as Amzori? Aussies are lacking a bit of perspective here surely

Oh wait....I just found the full list

1. Sonny Bill Williams
2. Amrozi
3. Belinda Neal
4. Wayne Carey
5. Nick D'Arcy
6. SA Attorney General Michael Atkinson
7. Pope Benedict
8. Indy 500 General Manager, Greg Hooten
9&10. John Earnest and Anne Deaves - father and daughter who became dad and mum.
11. Big Brother contestant Terri
12. Corey Worthington
13. Greg Norman
14. Mercedes Corby
15. Schapelle Corby
16. Peter MacDonald - James Hardie boss who avoided paying compensation.
17. David Miscavige
18. Dennis Ferguson
19. Kyle Sandilands
20. David Koch
21. The girl from the AAMI ads
22. Marcus Trescothick
23. Rove McManus
24. George W Bush
25. Toadie from Neighbours
26. Bank CEOs
27. Japanese Whalers
28. Radovan Karadzic
29. Sheik Yamani
30. Martin Lawrence
31. John Darwin
32. Sarah Jessica Parker
33. Jamie Oliver
34. Todd McKenney
35. & 36. Rick Dyer and Matthew Whitton - gave false hope to Bigfoot believers.
37. Judge who jailed lesbians in Dubai
38. Gordon Ramsay
39. Britney Spears
40. Patrick Swayze
41. Tamsyn Lewis
42. Amy Winehouse
43. Pamela Anderson
44. Madonna
45. Johanna Griggs
46. Heath Franklin
47. Peter Hore
48. Heather Mills .
49. Tim Johnson
50. Milton Orkopoulos



Why would you hate Greg Norman? Rove? Toadie from Neighbours? Seriously....gutter journalism at its worst

what the fuck? Marcus Trescothick?

that list is fail on so many levels :/

Yeah I was trying to work out how old Trescothick got in there as well Can anyone shed light on an incident involving him and the floppy greens?


/still cant get over Sonny beating f*cking Amrozi, scumbag Bali bomber


Also.....no Greg Bird?