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May go some way to solve Rusty's "perplexing" problem of why he chose the Roosters...
If the controversy surrounding Cooper Cronk playing a key role at a Melbourne Storm training session on Wednesday does not seem to have the Roosters rattled, there’s a good reason: Sonny Bill Williams has quietly slipped into their coaching system.
SBW made his first appearance in that capacity at the club’s training facility on Thursday and near the top of his list of projects is the development of the game’s most hyped teenager, Joseph Suaalii.
SBW also met with Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who has long wanted the dual international to have a role with the club post-football. Politis wants it even more after signing Suaalii. The pair will work well together.
When Williams returned to the NRL last year for a successful cameo, his worth in publicity to the game was valued, admittedly by the NRL, at $32 million. Suaalii has generated plenty of headlines and is yet to play an NRL game. Even Williams’ debut at Canterbury did not have the same hype.
These are different times, but Williams has lived his life in the spotlight so his perspective and advice will be invaluable. It will be as important as what he can contribute to Suaalii’s football development, if not more.
Williams is poised to work in three different areas in his post-football life. Boxing is going to play a big role. As we told you a few weeks back, he is building his own boxing gym – an indication of the seriousness with which he is taking the sport. I can see him having a dozen fights in the years ahead.
Also firmly in the mix is a cross-code commentary career. Talks are ongoing and SBW is poised to become an expert commentator for Channel Nine and the streaming service Stan. Williams has been a trailblazer throughout his career and if the deal is finalised, as expected, it will be another chapter in an amazing sporting story.
If the controversy surrounding Cooper Cronk playing a key role at a Melbourne Storm training session on Wednesday does not seem to have the Roosters rattled, there’s a good reason: Sonny Bill Williams has quietly slipped into their coaching system.
SBW made his first appearance in that capacity at the club’s training facility on Thursday and near the top of his list of projects is the development of the game’s most hyped teenager, Joseph Suaalii.
SBW also met with Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who has long wanted the dual international to have a role with the club post-football. Politis wants it even more after signing Suaalii. The pair will work well together.
When Williams returned to the NRL last year for a successful cameo, his worth in publicity to the game was valued, admittedly by the NRL, at $32 million. Suaalii has generated plenty of headlines and is yet to play an NRL game. Even Williams’ debut at Canterbury did not have the same hype.
These are different times, but Williams has lived his life in the spotlight so his perspective and advice will be invaluable. It will be as important as what he can contribute to Suaalii’s football development, if not more.
Williams is poised to work in three different areas in his post-football life. Boxing is going to play a big role. As we told you a few weeks back, he is building his own boxing gym – an indication of the seriousness with which he is taking the sport. I can see him having a dozen fights in the years ahead.
Also firmly in the mix is a cross-code commentary career. Talks are ongoing and SBW is poised to become an expert commentator for Channel Nine and the streaming service Stan. Williams has been a trailblazer throughout his career and if the deal is finalised, as expected, it will be another chapter in an amazing sporting story.
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