CHICAGO – A disciple of self-discipline off the field, Sonny Bill Williams is staying on the straight and narrow with his rugby playing habits too.
Code-hopper Williams exploded back into Test rugby in Sunday’s 74-6 win over the United States in Chicago, so much so that he’s a decent chance of winning selection for Saturday’s showdown with England at Twickenham.
The 27-year-old didn’t resemble somebody coming off two years out of the sport having played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
He also didn’t quite look like the Williams who played 19 All Blacks Tests from 2010-12.
The big difference? One offload.
New Zealand threw 32 offloads between them against the overwhelmed Eagles yet Williams, who received plenty of ball, was content not to deliver what has become a trademark in both codes.
“The biggest thing that I’ve learned, coming back into rugby, is that the opportunity’s usually there but it’s about picking it and making the right decision,” Williams said.
“When it’s on, I back myself to pass it but when it’s not, it’s not.”
He remembers All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hammering that point two years ago and it has stuck.
For someone playing within himself, Williams’ other statistics were impressive.
He beat a game-high six Eagles defenders and made three clean breaks, admittedly against a wafer-thin defensive line.
The All Blacks selectors are strongly considering playing him on Saturday ahead of Malakai Fekitoa, who scored the last-minute try to snatch victory over Australia at Brisbane last month.
