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SBW and Cooper loom as a double act for either code Jamie Pandaram
July 27, 2011
Dream team ... Sonny Bill Williams, left, and Quade Cooper.
BY EXTENDING his tenure with New Zealand rugby by just one year, Sonny Bill Williams has left open the growing possibility of uniting with friend and Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper in either code in 2013.
Williams yesterday confirmed he will remain in New Zealand for 2012, but has yet to decide between the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.
Williams and Cooper share the same manager, Khoder Nasser, and both players come off contract with their respective unions at the end of next year. It is probable that Nasser will market the pair as a dual-package signing, and NRL side Sydney Roosters would be the early favourites to secure the high-profile stars.
Advertisement: Story continues below Williams, who sensationally walked out on his contract with the Bulldogs in 2008 to join French rugby team Toulon, is barred from returning to the NRL until 2013 as part of his later negotiated release.
Cooper has often stated his desire to play in the NRL and eventually represent the Maroons in State of Origin.
Because the Tri Nations unions do not allow their players to join the Super Rugby teams of rival countries, it would be more likely the duo defect to league rather than one having to give up their national jersey.
The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed last night they would not be altering the requirement of their contracted players to remain with a local Super Rugby side. Williams, 25, prefers to sign one-year deals and would not rule out remaining in New Zealand beyond 2012.
''At this stage it is just one more year but things could change,'' the four-Test All Black said. ''When I first came back it was just to try and make the World Cup squad then go back offshore.''
Williams will make a decision on whether to leave the Crusaders before the World Cup starts on September 9.
Williams will come off the bench against South Africa in Saturday's Tri Nations match in Wellington.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz1TGUcX2HF
And so the Circus comes to town.....
July 27, 2011
Dream team ... Sonny Bill Williams, left, and Quade Cooper.
BY EXTENDING his tenure with New Zealand rugby by just one year, Sonny Bill Williams has left open the growing possibility of uniting with friend and Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper in either code in 2013.
Williams yesterday confirmed he will remain in New Zealand for 2012, but has yet to decide between the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.
Williams and Cooper share the same manager, Khoder Nasser, and both players come off contract with their respective unions at the end of next year. It is probable that Nasser will market the pair as a dual-package signing, and NRL side Sydney Roosters would be the early favourites to secure the high-profile stars.
Advertisement: Story continues below Williams, who sensationally walked out on his contract with the Bulldogs in 2008 to join French rugby team Toulon, is barred from returning to the NRL until 2013 as part of his later negotiated release.
Cooper has often stated his desire to play in the NRL and eventually represent the Maroons in State of Origin.
Because the Tri Nations unions do not allow their players to join the Super Rugby teams of rival countries, it would be more likely the duo defect to league rather than one having to give up their national jersey.
The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed last night they would not be altering the requirement of their contracted players to remain with a local Super Rugby side. Williams, 25, prefers to sign one-year deals and would not rule out remaining in New Zealand beyond 2012.
''At this stage it is just one more year but things could change,'' the four-Test All Black said. ''When I first came back it was just to try and make the World Cup squad then go back offshore.''
Williams will make a decision on whether to leave the Crusaders before the World Cup starts on September 9.
Williams will come off the bench against South Africa in Saturday's Tri Nations match in Wellington.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz1TGUcX2HF
And so the Circus comes to town.....
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