35 replies to this topic

[Gosman]

The rumours doing the rounds is that he is due to sign a one year deal with the Sydney Roosters. What are the views of Rugby League fans about this possibly occuring for next season 2013? Will he be welcomed back as a prodigal son or shunned by some for his actions five years ago?

[Exiled Wiganer]

I think most people will go whev, and be very suspicious of him until he has got his head down for a while. Could be good for the World Cup I suppose, if he manages to get fit enough quickly enough.

[The Big Gun]

Edit: wrong thread.

Edited by The Big Gun, 25 June 2012 - 11:13 PM.

[walter sobchak]

He's a mercenary hence the 1 year deal, already planning his next move.

[frank]

Let him stay in rugby we have enough trouble makers in the game.

[EastLondonMike]

i'd love to see him back playing RL. Awesome player when at his best. Apart from the way he left the bulldogs i cant recall him really being a 'trouble maker' as such.. unless i've just forgotten. even though the way he left the dogs was disgusting.

[nadera78]

One year seems a bit pointless for the Roosters, it'll take him all of that just to get back up to speed.

Mind you, if any club was going to do a deal with him then it would be the Roosters. Horrible club that it is.

[dhw]

Let him stay in rugby we have enough trouble makers in the game.

The only time he was a trouble maker was during his time at CB, make of that what you will. Since then he has played for Toulon, Canterbury Crusaders, Canterbury Province and Waikato Chiefs without much problems he has even been named as NZ RU teenage Ambassador. The worst incident that comes to mind is going on a unsanctioned skiing trip while he was inured. As for being a mercenary he took a 70+% reduction in his new deal with Toulon to take up a contract with NZRU. Also his on field disclipline has not been a problem particularly when compared with his time at CB.

[AndyCapp]

Great Player, left Canterbury in a very bad manner, let his team mates and fans down in the worst possible way.
Let him stay in Union. as a player he is top class, as a Man, not so much.

[MattSantos]

Agree with Capp.

As a player, he'd be replacing and improving on Anasta when he played at 13. He'd be the best 13 in the game.

I understand the mercenary comments, but it's a job. Who wouldn't play RU in Japan etc for the money he'd get.

He did leave a coward though.

[Futtocks]

As long as he is made to sign a contract with VERY stiff penalty clauses for any future treachery. Otherwise, he'll just do whatever he (or his agent) feels like.

[Hullfan]

doesnt matter he is outstading player its down to the club who sign him if it goes #### up there pay the price if it goes well there reap the rewards i now what i do if i had chance o sign him

[Lobbygobbler]

No probs with SBW coming back so long as he plays for NZ and doesnt end up switching to Aus

[Celt]

We have one of the biggest clubs in the UK (Bulls) going bust. Th sport is desperately short of media exposure. Most 'general sports fans' could not name 1 single RugbyLeague player. Our 9s comp finals (great entertainment) were played in an empty stadium tonight, and our recent test match was played at St helens in front of a tiny crowd, despite tickets costing from 5 quid........................................................... and people on here want to turn away a global sporting personality from playing Rugby League??? The sport is desperately in need of athletes like SBW - anyone who thinks the game can afford to "let him stay in union " needs their head examined.

Guys like SBW are what drives up tv revenues, sponsorship revenues, and endorsements in the game (not to mention puts bums on seats). Just take one look at the guy - he is worth millions to the sporty. the stupidity of some people on this site astounds me.

[Dennis Bloodnock]

One year seems a bit pointless for the Roosters, it'll take him all of that just to get back up to speed.



Mind you, if any club was going to do a deal with him then it would be the Roosters. Horrible club that it is.

Could you please explain why the Roosters are a horrible club?and why it will take him a year to "get back up to speed" ?

[AndyCapp]

We have one of the biggest clubs in the UK (Bulls) going bust. Th sport is desperately short of media exposure. Most 'general sports fans' could not name 1 single RugbyLeague player. Our 9s comp finals (great entertainment) were played in an empty stadium tonight, and our recent test match was played at St helens in front of a tiny crowd, despite tickets costing from 5 quid........................................................... and people on here want to turn away a global sporting personality from playing Rugby League??? The sport is desperately in need of athletes like SBW - anyone who thinks the game can afford to "let him stay in union " needs their head examined.

Guys like SBW are what drives up tv revenues, sponsorship revenues, and endorsements in the game (not to mention puts bums on seats). Just take one look at the guy - he is worth millions to the sporty. the stupidity of some people on this site astounds me.

Maybe it comes down to ethics and morals, I can not speak for you but mine are my own and I do not change them based on what some may consider is good for the game.
The man walked out on contract, a massive contract where he was one of the highest paid players in the game, he jumped on a Plane and just disappeared mid week.
Maybe I am getting old but you do not conduct yourself the way SBW did and then be allowed back into the game just because his Canterbury Bulldogs contract has nearly expired.
The game is bigger than the player.

[thirteenthman]

Maybe it comes down to ethics and morals, I can not speak for you but mine are my own and I do not change them based on what some may consider is good for the game.
The man walked out on contract, a massive contract where he was one of the highest paid players in the game, he jumped on a Plane and just disappeared mid week.
Maybe I am getting old but you do not conduct yourself the way SBW did and then be allowed back into the game just because his Canterbury Bulldogs contract has nearly expired.
The game is bigger than the player.

I know SBW walked out on the Doggies mid season, but didn't Jamie Lyon do the same at the Eels? SBW's biggest crime appears to be going to RU. Personally, I'd love to see him back in RL. There are players who have done far worse things in life who are still playing RL (One or two will be playing Origin next week). Although for what it's worth, I'm still not convinced he'll come back.

[AndyCapp]

I know SBW walked out on the Doggies mid season, but didn't Jamie Lyon do the same at the Eels? SBW's biggest crime appears to be going to RU. Personally, I'd love to see him back in RL. There are players who have done far worse things in life who are still playing RL (One or two will be playing Origin next week). Although for what it's worth, I'm still not convinced he'll come back.

I am not a big fan of Lyon either.
He gave the game away and went back to play for his local club side and then went to Saint Helens because Parramatta held his contract in the NRL.

If breaking contracts is ok and there are no ramifications for doing so, there is little point in having any system of contracts is there?

SBW could have negotiated a release or come to some terms with the Dogs but chose to do a moonlight flit instead.

In Australia, players moving to Union are not seen in the same light as they may be in the UK, Union is not seen the "Dark side" or anything like that in Australia, especially in Willams case where he left to play for a Club in France.
Breaking a legally binding contract in the manner that SBW did is why he was despised.

No one was overly worried when Tahu, Rogers, Sailor and Tuquiri went to Union and in most cases welcomed back no questions asked

Edited by AndyCapp, 27 June 2012 - 07:26 AM.

[Futtocks]

At about the same time as Dollar Bill stabbed his club in the front, Mark Gasnier also went to play RU in France. The difference was that the latter did it the right way and Williams did not.

As I said in my previous post, I'm not against him returning to Rugby League, but anyone with an ounce of sense should put strong safeguards in place against being shafted the same way as the Bulldogs.

[nadera78]

Could you please explain why the Roosters are a horrible club?and why it will take him a year to "get back up to speed" ?

I'm a Souths fan - just local rivalry, nothing more.

Every single player that has gone to play union has needed a year to regain his fitness after returning to tgg. That's not just my opinion, have a look on the net and there are lots of interviews with players who have done it.