Williams takes swipe at 'multi-million $ deals' for Jones and co

Former All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has taken a swipe at the big money recently splashed out on Test-level coaches, insisting that this financial largesse must also trickle down to the players. Wales last month brought in Warren Gatland to replace Wayne Pivac while Steve Borthwick is now in charge of England where their ex-boss, Eddie Jones, has headed home to take the Australia job from Dave Rennie.

Pivac, Jones and Rennie were all contracted by their teams through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, so they each would have been entitled to decent payouts for suddenly losing their jobs, while Gatland, Borthwick and Jones would all have negotiated comfortable deals when deciding to take up their new roles.

It’s a situation that has now drawn a social media reaction from Williams, who tweeted: “Eight months out from the World Cup… all the talk is of multi-million $ deals for new coaches… not much talk about the brothers on the field.

“Rugby seems to be in a better financial position than first appeared… let’s hope these big bucks and this good business makes it to the players at all levels too.”

Williams shared his thoughts on the Test coaching developments from the Middle East where he also tweeted about speaking to the Saudi Arabia Olympic committee. "Was great to speak to the Saudi Olympic committee about life, elite sports and life after sports.

"Massive potential for our game to grow in this region and throughout these communities - am excited to see what’s next. Saudi Olympic, look forward to seeing you again soon."

The 37-year-old Williams was capped on 58 occasions by the All Blacks, featuring in three Rugby World Cups. He also played rugby league, starting out at the NRL Bulldogs in 2004, and boxed professionally at the heavyweight level.