Wed, 08 Feb 2012 1:12p.m.
Opinion by Jim Kayes
Sonny Bill Williams arrived at the weigh in for his boxing title fight against American Clarence Tillman III with the usual smile on his face. Impeccably neat as always, he offered handshakes to some as he made his way to a table set up for the press conference.
During it he was, as he always is, polite if perhaps a little bit bland. He used his stock-standard “pardon me” to delay when asked a curly question, but always answered and was mildly entertaining. One ill-fated press conference during the World Cup aside (and that disaster was more because of Ali Williams than SBW) the pre-match presser in Hamilton was typical of what you get from Williams – inoffensive.
Even when punched at yesterday’s weigh-in by opponent Clarence Tillman III, Williams remained composed.
So why do so many people dislike him – hate him even? Why are so many New Zealanders keen to see an American of little fame and dubious credibility sit an All Black on his bum? What has Williams done to get so offside with Kiwis? Is it simply the Tall Poppy syndrome in over drive?
Yes, Williams invited scorn and derision when he walked out on the Bulldogs league club to play club rugby in France, but that was four years ago and it happened in Australia. What on earth does it have to do with Williams’ career here in New Zealand?
Born and bred in Auckland, Williams went to Owairaka Primary and Mt Albert Grammar before he became a teenage sensation in the five tackle-kick code in Sydney. So he’s as Kiwi as it comes. When he decided to have a crack at the All Blacks he did it the right way, playing for a Christchurch club and then Canterbury, before earning selection for the November tour in 2010.
Williams didn’t bribe or cheat his way on to the team bus, he was picked by Graham Henry – perhaps on potential as much as form but that’s hardly Williams’ fault. During his time with the All Blacks he’s been as good an ambassador for the team and New Zealand as any of the players and has justified Henry’s selections by playing well.
So why the angst? Is it because he comes with an entourage that’s better suited to his other sporting love, boxing, than it is to rugby? Is it because he likes to box? And if that’s the case, it seems misplaced. So Williams likes to box. His coaches and rugby employers are content with it (though probably not massively overjoyed) and that, in this professional world of sport, should be the end of it.
Are people upset that hasn’t shown enough commitment to the All Blacks (though I have to confess I’m not sure what, in this professional era, that actually means)? Williams wants to live his contractual life year by year. So what? Who cares? Isn’t that his choice? After all, wasn’t it the fact he walked out on a five-year deal with the Bulldogs that upset so many people? If he wants to go back to league next year, return to Europe or stay with New Zealand rugby, who are we to sit in judgment? It’s called career choice and Williams, like the rest of us, only has to do what’s right for him, and his family.
Those who criticize Williams for making career/business decisions are living in the amateur era. That finished in 1995, which is a wee while ago.
Perhaps Williams is disliked because things seem to come too easily for this talented athlete. If that’s the case it’s ignorance at work, because Williams has worked as hard during his career as any other All Black.
I can understand the attitude toward Williams because for some reason I haven’t warmed to him either, but I’m asking myself why. He is always polite (except when that other Williams has too much influence), offers a smile and answers my questions with patience – though not always how I’d like him too. He seems popular with his teammates and has never, certainly in the public dealings I’ve had with him, come across as arrogant.
Perhaps the problem with Williams lies in the attitudes of those who don’t like him – their own insecurities and petty jealousies. If that’s the case there is nothing Williams will ever be able to do to change their minds. And what will grate his knockers the most is that Williams really doesn’t care.
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