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Sonny Bill hasn't ruled out move to UK
November 29, 2006 - 3:39PM
Source: SMH.com.au
League sensation Sonny Bill Williams has not ruled out moving to England as early as 2008, as soon as his $400,000-a-year deal with the Bulldogs expires.
The 21-year-old added he was looking forward to leading New Zealand over the coming years, following the international retirements of Kiwi greats Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana last week.
English Super League Clubs have shown a keen and sustained interest in the star backrower since he burst onto the scene in 2004, including a $900,000-a-season offer from St Helens, which he rejected.
"England hasn't been ruled out," he said on Wednesday.
"Nothing has been ruled out at this stage, you know. The fact that I'm only 21 is going to play a big part.
"Hopefully I can stay with the Bulldogs, but my manager hasn't started talking yet with the club, so we'll see how we go."
Though relatively green, Williams' short career has been ravaged by injury and his longevity in the sport has already come under question.
"It's not something I think about a lot - how long I will be able to play for - but maybe I should," he said, when asked should he make as much money as he can while he can.
Since making his first grade debut in March 2004 he has only played 41 games out of a possible 78, missing 37, or almost half, through injury.
He also missed New Zealand's recent Tri-Nations campaign.
"The boys went so well and not being a part of it was pretty shattering," the 191cm, 102kg Kiwi said.
"In saying that, I'm only 21 and hopefully there's a lot more Tests for me to be in."
Over the past few years Wiki, Jones and Vagana - who played 139 Test between them - helped NZ narrow the international gap between them and Australia.
Last year NZ won the Tri-Nations final, and this year it came within inches of retaining it, losing the final in golden point extra time on Saturday night.
"With them boys leaving, us young fellas are gonna have to step up," Williams said.
"I'm guessing Benji (Marshall) is gonna be in the team next year, and he'll have to step up, and all us young forwards are gonna have to step up too."
It's more than three months until the 2007 NRL season proper begins, but the Bulldogs are already in training six days a week.
Williams is approaching the pre-season differently this year, doing everything to avoid another injury.
"The NRL season is pretty long so I've learned to be more sensible with my training ... not be a bull out of the gate and not rush things," he said.
"I'm not going to go crazy three months before the season starts, I'm just gonna build up.
"But it's tough you know, we've got a three-day bike ride coming up. But yeah, it's just got to be done."
November 29, 2006 - 3:39PM
Source: SMH.com.au
League sensation Sonny Bill Williams has not ruled out moving to England as early as 2008, as soon as his $400,000-a-year deal with the Bulldogs expires.
The 21-year-old added he was looking forward to leading New Zealand over the coming years, following the international retirements of Kiwi greats Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana last week.
English Super League Clubs have shown a keen and sustained interest in the star backrower since he burst onto the scene in 2004, including a $900,000-a-season offer from St Helens, which he rejected.
"England hasn't been ruled out," he said on Wednesday.
"Nothing has been ruled out at this stage, you know. The fact that I'm only 21 is going to play a big part.
"Hopefully I can stay with the Bulldogs, but my manager hasn't started talking yet with the club, so we'll see how we go."
Though relatively green, Williams' short career has been ravaged by injury and his longevity in the sport has already come under question.
"It's not something I think about a lot - how long I will be able to play for - but maybe I should," he said, when asked should he make as much money as he can while he can.
Since making his first grade debut in March 2004 he has only played 41 games out of a possible 78, missing 37, or almost half, through injury.
He also missed New Zealand's recent Tri-Nations campaign.
"The boys went so well and not being a part of it was pretty shattering," the 191cm, 102kg Kiwi said.
"In saying that, I'm only 21 and hopefully there's a lot more Tests for me to be in."
Over the past few years Wiki, Jones and Vagana - who played 139 Test between them - helped NZ narrow the international gap between them and Australia.
Last year NZ won the Tri-Nations final, and this year it came within inches of retaining it, losing the final in golden point extra time on Saturday night.
"With them boys leaving, us young fellas are gonna have to step up," Williams said.
"I'm guessing Benji (Marshall) is gonna be in the team next year, and he'll have to step up, and all us young forwards are gonna have to step up too."
It's more than three months until the 2007 NRL season proper begins, but the Bulldogs are already in training six days a week.
Williams is approaching the pre-season differently this year, doing everything to avoid another injury.
"The NRL season is pretty long so I've learned to be more sensible with my training ... not be a bull out of the gate and not rush things," he said.
"I'm not going to go crazy three months before the season starts, I'm just gonna build up.
"But it's tough you know, we've got a three-day bike ride coming up. But yeah, it's just got to be done."
