Editorial: Top points to NZRU for pinning down Williams

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Seldom does the New Zealand Rugby Union move with the subtlety and agility that it has displayed in the securing of Sonny Bill Williams for its depleted player ranks.

Up against the much bigger money offered by his French club Toulon, the union has wooed Williams without being able to commit absolutely to the one thing he most wants - a place in the All Blacks for the World Cup.

Quite how it has structured his contract and how incentive payments might work in his favour are not yet clear.

What is clear is that New Zealand rugby without trading All Black jerseys as bait will soon have another potential star for the year before D-Day on Labour Weekend 2011.

What is also clear is that Williams has shown that he does, truly, want to play for the All Blacks.

Turning down the Toulon millions is the greatest evidence of that.

His comments on signing for New Zealand were more than reassuring, from a player most famous for abandoning his rugby league club one year into a multi-million dollar contract.

Williams realises he is not "quite ready" to play for the All Blacks and sees a series of steps before he can.

He sees himself as a second-five or centre and praises the competition from those already occupying the positions.

There was criticism when All Black coach Graham Henry met Williams' controversial agent during a New Zealand reconnaissance visit but if that swallowing of pride by rugby was necessary to clear the way, all to the good.

Williams has certainly bought the rugby union's PR spin, describing the All Blacks as the biggest brand in world sport and the World Cup as an event watched by four billion people.

If Sonny Bill can play to his undoubted potential, and become an All Blacks match winner next year, he can exaggerate all he likes.