Rugby World Cup: SBW finds his happy place

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Fame sits more easily on Williams’ shoulders this World Cup than it did last time, writes Gregor Paul.

Of the two byproducts created by his sporting excellence, Sonny Bill Williams is quite happy about the fortune bit. There wasn't much money around when he grew up.

But the fame part - he gives the impression he'd be more than happy without that. Which is a little inconvenient because an athlete of his standing is never going to be able to hide or persuade the modern world that there is nothing to see here ... move on.

Four years ago the World Cup was at times excruciating for him. He'd been an All Black for all of five minutes and he knew it. He wanted the rest of the world to see him that way, too, but no chance. He was an endless source of intrigue and having been around the professional scene for long enough - be it in league or rugby - he knew that his teammates would inevitably, fairly or unfairly, harbour some kind of resentment.

The changing shed would have his cards marked. What had he done in rugby? What had he actually achieved in his five minutes? And yet the circus wanted to portray him as the ringmaster when all he wanted to do was slip into the background, learn his craft and do what he could whenever he got the chance to play.

Naturally shy and uncomfortable in the spotlight as it was, his discomfort in 2011 was compounded by knowing that it's not the All Black way for an individual to be above the collective. He didn't ask for it; he didn't promote himself but it came his way nonetheless and as much as his fellow All Blacks would have reassured him they understood his predicament, many of them will have judged. Williams knew that and he cut this troubled, lonely figure throughout the last tournament, even choosing not to take part in the post-final celebrations.

He comes across as a vastly different person now. He's at last found comfort in his own skin as an All Black. Some of that will be his age - older and wiser - but part of it is that he no doubt feels he has, to some degree, produced supporting evidence that he can play the game. Not as much as he probably should have or enough to be in England widely considered as a good All Black; but enough that he can feel a level of contentment that he never did in 2011.

His body language, his demeanour and his willingness to be himself in the public eye are all evidence that he fits into this All Black side now.

He's not the lonely figure he was. He feels he has gained acceptance. He's one of the rank and file now - just how he wants it.

The outside interest in him hasn't diminished any but he seems to accept that's a non-negotiable part of the deal and it's best met head on.

"I would say just embrace it," he says when asked what advice he'd give younger players to help them get through a World Cup. "Don't see it as something that is going to weigh you down. Embrace it and play footy. I know everyone is excited like myself. It was pretty awesome getting out today and training on an awesome track. Hopefully we can continue on this ride we have started and build some momentum."

What will help Williams further embrace this tournament is delivering the quality the coaching staff know he's capable of.

He's going to feature in one of the first two games and he's due a good performance. And he knows better than most of his peers that the experience of being an All Black at a World Cup is vastly improved by delivering on the field.