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Report: Ex-All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams in line for shock career switch
By Online Editors
As the end of Sonny Bill Williams' illustrious playing career draws to a conclusion, the cross-code star reportedly has a new gig lined up on his horizon.
According to a report out of the Sydney Morning Herald, Williams could be in line to become a commentator for both rugby union and rugby league on Australian network Channel 9.
The news comes shortly after the announcement that Channel 9 had acquired rugby union broadcasting rights in a $100m, three-year deal that will see certain Super Rugby AU matches and Wallabies tests broadcast free-to-air in Australia.
Additionally, all Super Rugby AU, Super Rugby Aotearoa, Super W, Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and Shute Shield matches, among others, will be broadcast live and ad-free via online streaming service Stan Sports.
The SMH reports that Williams, who is without a contract in both league and union, could become the face of that coverage after his $10m, two-year deal with the Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League was cut short due to the implications of COVID-19.
"There have already been seeds planted and a crucial meeting this week will see if all parties are on the same path," the Herald reported.
"Plenty of hosts work across multiple sports but there are few who can work as expert commentators in more than one."
Where Williams heads next career-wise will be of plenty of interest in both league and union circles after the Canadian-based Wolfpack were denied re-entry into the UK's premier rugby league competition as a result of financial and logistical complications.
While the Wolfpack were out of action, Williams returned to Australia for a third stint in the NRL, joining the Sydney Roosters for a brief loan spell at the backend of the season.
The switch looked to be the final chapter of the 35-year-old's decorated 17-year sporting career, which has seen success follow him everywhere across both rugby codes and in the boxing ring.
With two Rugby World Cup titles from three tournaments, a Super Rugby championship, two NRL crowns with two different clubs, appearances at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, 58 tests for the All Blacks, 12 caps for the Kiwis and an undefeated seven-bout heavyweight boxing career, the star power Williams would add to Channel 9 is unrivalled.
Furthermore, the resumption of his boxing career against fellow former NRL star Paul Gallen highly-speculated, the SMH suggests Williams' deal as a commentator could also leverage a pay-per-view boxing broadcast deal with Stan Sport.
Although nothing has yet been confirmed, NRL.com reports that Williams would be open to offers once he recovers from neck surgery on an injury he sustained in the Roosters' heavy final-round loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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