SBW Latest

[chook 56]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugb...427-1xq9l.html

SYDNEY ROOSTERS' bid to sign Sonny Bill Williams has been thrown into jeopardy with an official from Japanese rugby union powerhouse Panasonic confirming they had made him the biggest offer in the club's history.

Williams agent Khoder Nasser recently visited Japan and the Panasonic Wild Knights general manager, Hitoshi Iijima, yesterday told the Herald his club had offered the dual international a two-year contract.

Iijima would not divulge the amount offered to Williams but said it was higher than the club had paid any other player, including South African centre Jaque Fourie, who was reported to be earning more than $US1.1 million ($1.06 million) last season.
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''Panasonic is interested in getting Sonny Bill Williams and has made an offer to him,'' Iijima said. ''We will offer two years and we will offer the best offer of the company because he is the best player. It will be the top offer by our company.''

The Wild Knights, who lost February's Top League to the Eddie Jones-coached Suntory, want Williams as a replacement for Fourie and believe he will generate interest in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

''He is very famous in Japan and if he was to play in Japan we believe many non-rugby fans would know him,'' Iijima said.

The Roosters have made it known they want to bring Williams back to the NRL, while the New Zealand Rugby Union has also tabled an offer to retain the 26-year-old.

However, it is unlikely either would be able to compete with the offer from Panasonic.

''We don't know anything about him playing for the Sydney Roosters,'' Iijima said.

''We have offered a two-year contract and we hope the negotiations will be good.''

[SConcierge]

Sounds like SBW has become a mercenary he might even join the foreigion legion

[Big Poppa Pump]

If he is a man of his word he'll be here.

Hang on a sec............................!!!!!!

[Guest]

He's definately got a verbal agreement to come here. Whilst its not signed, anything could change but I believe he is still coming.

[SConcierge]

I think the biggest mistake he made was getting involed with mundane and that towel head. He could have been a legend of the game a captain with all the acolades and the big bucks would have come. When he finished his career he would have been on sports shows radio tv and written articles for papers , mags and been milking cash for life... but he just doesnt get it, there is a big picture that could have been more rewarding then the path he has chosen.

If we go all out and pay massive bucks for him I think it could set us back 5+ yrs. Easts needs to continue with the path they have chosen and plan for long term ongoing success.

[Guest]

He also had a 4 year contract with the Bulldogs, I'm already sick of the guy and he hasn't played a game for us.

[John Corey]

I would love him here but if he chooses Japanese rugby , over proving himself again in the strongest rugby league comp in the world, then I hope he gets a chop stick through his eye.

[Guest]

Well at least if we dont sign SBW we'll have more money to resign and sign other players.

[Guest]

I will not criticise him for doing what he believes is best for himself. Good luck to him whatever he chooses.

[redwhiteblue]

I never really believed he would come here anyway. He's too high maintenance and will overshadow the rest of the club.

[Guest]

I still think he will return to the NRL & I hope it is with the Roosters.

He will have other chances to play Japanese Rugby. Just on Japanese Rugby, I know they pay mega bugs for about 15 games per year but seriously playing Japanese Rugby would have to be the end of the line. What credibility does Japanesae rugby have?

[Guest]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWNJwSJh_WY

[Guest]

I'm not really fussed if he comes or if he doesn't.

There's positives and negatives for both sides of the argument imo.

I don't worry about those sort of things.

What i do worry about is KEEPING our young fella's together for a change so we can be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. And we WILL be a force if that happens.

I really believe the club has learnt it's lesson, to a certain extent, and have realised that building on our youth is better than throwing cash at overated has-beens.

In saying that, this is the chooks afterall and we're bound to pull out the chequebook every now and then.

[Guest]

[Guest]

SBW will not go to Japanese Rugby. He would be foolish not to take up the Roosters' offer, probably a job with channel 9 and other perks that come with the Roosters/Politis/Gyngel connection.