David Leggat: Something is a bit off piste about Sonny Bill

'Anyone who has skied will know it is a sport that can play havoc with thighs, calves, <i>and</i> knees. Photo / Getty Images

There's something odd about the whole Sonny Bill Williams business. Think back to when the nation first heard he was going to try his hand in New Zealand rugby, with the aim of making next year's World Cup.

He revealed his intentions to a New Zealand audience, arranged by New Zealand paymasters, right? Wrong.

Instead he did it on an Australian league TV programme.

Strange enough, but then you might think that's okay because the next day he'll be over this side of the drink doing his thing into a swathe of New Zealand microphones.

No. Did the New Zealand Rugby Union not say something like, 'Oi pal, we need you over here pronto for some decent PR".

If they didn't they were badly remiss. If they did, the only conclusion can be that Williams and his agent, Khoder Nasser, simply thumbed their nose at his new employers.

Then he announced he was playing for Canterbury from Surfers Paradise, as you do.

Eventually he rocked up, played about 50 minutes for Belfast club, before the knee and hamstring injuries crocked him again.

The first four weeks have gone by in the ITM Cup. No sign.

How we chuckled when Williams said he was keen to play outside Dan Carter for Canterbury to get the hang of this new gig.

Had no one told him there wasn't the remotest chance of Carter being sighted in red and black for more than possibly a game or two at the business end of the cup, even before having to have ankle surgery this week?

Now Williams - and you won't see him referred to by the far-too-cute three-initial abbreviation here - decides that as he's not fit to be playing rugby for a bit yet, what better way to unwind than a day on the piste at Mt Hutt.

Anyone who has skied - good, average or poor - knows it is a sport which can play havoc with thighs, calves and ... wait for it, drum roll ... knees.

All Black selector Wayne Smith said Williams heading for the slopes should not be seen as a lack of professionalism, or a lessening of his desire to play for the All Blacks.

Smith is a decent man who probably can't conceive of anyone using the beloved black jersey he wore with pride 30-odd years ago for any reason other than passionate desire for the game.

So I'll give him a pass on point two.

But if it's not being unprofessional, having teased Canterbury and the All Black selectors for a couple of months now, what is it?

Whose brainwave was this skiing lark?

The Canterbury Rugby Union moved swiftly to don the Pontius Pilate cape. Not us, they said, confirming Williams hadn't sought a release to head up the hill.

If he had, it would have been turned down, most probably with a roll of the eyes in 'you want to go where?' fashion.

Apparently the CRU then asked Williams to front up and explain his decision to the media. He refused.

Think tail, dog and wagging in capital letters. Just a wild stab, but this will end badly.