Sonny Bill Williams offloads to Nehe Milner-Skudder during the All Blacks opening win against Argentina. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Sonny Bill Williams offloads to Nehe Milner-Skudder during the All Blacks opening win against Argentina. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The most explosive centre pairing in world rugby could become even more dangerous if Sonny Bill Williams continues to teach All Blacks teammate Malakai Fekitoa the art of the offload.
The duo will link up for the first time against Namibia in the All Blacks second pool C Rugby WorldCup match on Friday morning NZT.
If facing the defending champion All Blacks wasn't a daunting enough task for the Namibians, having to stop 99kg Fekitoa and the 108kg Williams has the potential to produce nightmares.
Fekitoa will make his 12th test appearance for the All Blacks on Friday, his first at a Rugby World Cup after making his debut against England at Eden Park last season. It will be the sixth start for the All Blacks but first alongside Williams - something the Highlanders centre is really looking forward to.
"I don't think there is any other bigger midfielder than him, with all his skill set and everything about him, he's just massive," Fekitoa told RadioSport's Nigel Yalden. "I've always wanted to play alongside him and I think he suits my game as well. He's loves to offload and I love to run outside him.
Williams has also been teaching the 23-year-old the art of the offload, something which Fekitoa admits he still needs work despite finishing the Super Rugby season with the fourth most off-loads, one behind Williams.
Radio Sport: Malakai Fekitoa on playing alongside Sonny Bill Williams
"He's a team man. Always looks after the young fellas. For myself I always ask him 'can you teach me how to offload?' or 'how do you do this?' that's what I do all the time, I ask him questions and he always shares with me.
"So after training sometimes we just go and run at the bags and try off-loads and make sure I do it the right way. He just gives me a few words about how to do it. Obviously I can't go it the same way, but at least I'm on the right track to get better.
Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa relax in the dressing room following a Rugby Championship match. Photo / Getty Images
Fekitoa said it was a tough watch from the stands at Wembley on Monday as the All Blacks came from behind to defeat Argentina in the opening pool game.
"I was quiet the whole time but at the same time I was backing the boys to do the job," he said.
"The relief of getting the first one out of the way, we now know where we are and we just have to get better from here."
Leading offloads in Super Rugby - Opta Stats Israel Folau - 38 Sonny Bill Williams - 33 Patrick Osborne - 33 Ben Smith - 32 Malakai Fekitoa - 32 Kurtley Beale - 30
