Tasman Makos: News

Makos fans could see first to see SBW play
25-Jun-2010

By HAMISH BIDWELL and JOHN ALEXANDER - The Marlborough Express
Marlborough and Tasman Makos fans potentially have the first opportunity to see New Zealand rugby's latest marquee signing Sonny Bill Williams in action live in this country.

The former league star officially signed with the Canterbury Rugby Union and Crusaders yesterday and will play for the Red and Blacks in the ITM Cup.

The Tasman Makos host Canterbury at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim in an ITM Cup warmup match on Friday, July 16, at 2pm.

A big crowd was already expected for the match but, if Williams turns out, it could be a packed house gauging by the huge interest his stated goal to make the All Blacks has created.

The long wait by the fax machine at Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) headquarters finally paid off last night, with the arrival of a signed contract from Williams.

Always rumoured to be joining the Crusaders for next year's Super 15, it was less clear if the 24-year-old rugby league convert would also play his provincial rugby for Canterbury.

Several other unions were said to have tabled lucrative offers but, after a nervous afternoon and early evening, the CRFU were able to confirm Williams would be playing all of his rugby here for the next two years.

"We were always in the mix and while there was a lot of speculation about where he might go, we were just going about our business and having the conversations and discussions and we knew he was considering it carefully and in the end he's accepted our offer," CRFU and Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said.

Riach felt continuity was probably what swayed Williams to launch his New Zealand rugby union career in Christchurch.

"He wants to get settled and get started on his quest to become an All Black and play in the World Cup and he felt it was better to get started all in the one place."

A controversial figure in Australia, after walking out on an NRL contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Williams has suddenly become quite vocal about his dream to become an All Black and Riach rejected any notion he merely saw Canterbury and the Crusaders as a means to an end.

"He's genuinely excited and completely committed to maximising this next stage of his rugby career; there's nothing clearer in our mind. He's very determined and focused ... and his attitude is exactly in the right place," he said.

Williams is in Australia, where he is preparing for his second professional boxing bout, with Riach hopeful the former Kiwis international would be in Christchurch in time for Canterbury's season and jersey launch on July 5.

Ad Feedback Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and Canterbury provincial coach Rob Penney have put the welcome mat out for the former league player.

"Sonny Bill is an exciting prospect for us. We're all looking forward to working with him this season and are sure he will fit in very well," said Penney.

Blackadder was sure Williams, who spurned big offers from Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay and North Harbour, would do "very well with the Crusaders in 2011".

"We're confident we can help in his development and we're sure he will add a lot to our game. "