Tasman Makos: News

SBW to play in Blenheim?
30-Jun-2010

The Press - HAMISH BIDWELL
In fairness to Canterbury rugby coach Rob Penney, new recruit Sonny Bill Williams is still a few days away from arriving in the country.

But if anyone should be able to shed light on whether Williams will be in Canterbury's squad for their pre-season match against Tasman in Blenheim on July 16, it ought to be the coach.

Penney was away when Williams' signing was confirmed last week and yesterday was not prepared to confirm that the rugby league convert would be given a run at Lansdowne Park, following his expected arrival on Sunday.

"Don't know. We'll just see what unfolds over the first couple of weeks and make a decision based on what we see," Penney said.

To that end, the coach won't divulge which position the 24-year-old might play in this season, either.

"The main thing is that he's exposed to the game from a few different angles, so that he gets to appreciate the requirements."

Penney said Williams "might be able play on the wing, at six and jump in the lineouts", which doesn't exactly narrow it down or fit with the assumption that the former Kiwis backrower has been signed by the New Zealand Rugby Union as a midfield back.

Two players whose roles won't change this season are lock Isaac Ross and loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen suggested last week that Ross's future could lie in the loose trio, while Crockett's lack of versatility seems to be thwarting his progress at the international level.

"Wyatt Crockett is the best loosehead in the country so therefore one of the best looseheads in the world and we're not going to tinker with him," Penney said.

Ross was described much the same way. "This time last year Zac was a world-class lock; nothing's changed in our eyes."

And he'll have to be, as Canterbury contemplate a campaign without Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, James Broadhurst or Michael Paterson to partner him.

Tight-five talent might be a bit thin but, to the horror of backs coach Tabai Matson, Penney was in the mood for grand statements.

"We've got the best backline in world rugby, probably," he said.

To which Matson replied: "He's just loaded the gun again."

So no pressure on Matson to deliver results from a unit set to be built around Andy Ellis, Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Williams, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock and Sean Maitland.

Fruean and Maitland have been short-listed for New Zealand's Commonwealth Games sevens team.