Gregor Paul: SBW could hi-jack World Cup

Sonny Bill Williams off-loads during the All Black's Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Apparently, because he only said it about 100 times, Sonny Bill Williams was excited by the prospect of playing in the opening game. And now about half the world will be excited at the prospect of Williams playing more than just the opening game.

Whether by good luck or good management, the All Blacks have entered the World Cup with potentially the most destructive athlete to stomp across a rugby field since Jonah Lomu, nursing a bit of fire in his belly and a raging determination to prove himself.

The speed at which he jumped to his feet after making tackles; his desire to be involved and yet not try to run through his entire repertoire in five minutes and his patience and self-control to stay in the pattern defensively, all suggest Williams doesn't fancy another stint sitting in the stands.

Williams could hi-jack this World Cup if he keeps his head in the right place. He has this rare and priceless gift of making it all happen; what he did on several occasions tonight was turn a two-on-two into an All Black in the clear.

His magic is that he commits two defenders and still gets the ball away and there was a sense of inevitability every time the All Blacks pushed the ball wide.

There was a lift in tension whenever the ball came near the All Black 12 and that surely is what this tournament is all about? It is about unearthing new superstars; it is about engaging an audience that will be dabbling in the code for the first time hoping they will see something to hook them; to compel them to come back for more.

The All Blacks, of course, don't have such altruistic goals in mind. They are not in this to be ambassadors for the sport - they are here to end 24 years of agony and the question for them in regards to Williams is what to do with him next?

His performance was high impact; full of good - with some big tackles, his trademark offloads and one clever grubber - but laced with some bad or maybe more accurately that should be naive.

His NRL days haven't been totally flushed - he was brought down inches short in the first minute of the second half and held on as if he was waiting for everyone to clear so he could play the ball.

The coaching panel could readily convince themselves that those sorts of errors will reduce the more he plays. They may also convince themselves that they would like to see Williams back in 12 against Japan but paired with Conrad Smith at centre.

Ma'a Nonu adjusted well to a role he hasn't really fulfilled since 2006 but presumably come the knock-out rounds he won't be considered at centre. It's not his bag these days and his ability to storm up the middle in tight games is a major asset.

So it won' be an easy decision for the selectors to make. It is one, however, they will be delighted has become decidedly more complex than it appeared a few weeks ago.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY