WELLINGTON, May 24 (Reuters) - Sonny Bill Williams is as important to New Zealand rugby as Dan Carter and Richie McCaw and it is "critical" he stays in the country after the World Cup, Canterbury Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said on Tuesday.
League convert Williams has been in oustanding form at inside centre for the Crusaders this year in Super rugby but his contract expires at the end of the year with European union and Australian league clubs already showing interest.
All Blacks flyhalf Carter's new four-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), signed last week, allows him to take a sabbatical during which he can have a spell playing overseas.
Flanker and skipper McCaw is expected to agree a similar contract over the next couple of weeks.
Blackadder said Williams should be given the same flexibility to ensure he signs on to stay in New Zealand.
"I think he's just as important to be honest," he told Radio Sport.
"He's just been inspirational. He's played some fantastic rugby for the Crusaders and when you look at just how important he is for the World Cup and beyond, I just think he's one of those players that is just getting better and better, strength to strength ...
"He's a hero to a lot of the kids out there ... he's one of those guys who has x-factor all over him and he can just create and do things that other guys just can't do.
"It's absolutely critical that the NZRU re-signs him and he stays with New Zealand rugby for another couple of years."
Williams, 25, will contest the second of three boxing bouts allowed under his contract with the NZRU on June 5 and Blackadder believes he should continue to be allowed a couple of fights a year to "supplement" his rugby income.
"It's just common sense, it's better to do that than to say we can't afford it and let him go off and play in Europe," the former All Blacks captain added.
"I really believe its worth the trade-off."
Williams missed the Crusaders' last match against the Waikato Chiefs with an injured knee but should be fit for Sunday's mouthwatering clash against the table-topping Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Blackadder said.
League convert Williams has been in oustanding form at inside centre for the Crusaders this year in Super rugby but his contract expires at the end of the year with European union and Australian league clubs already showing interest.
All Blacks flyhalf Carter's new four-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), signed last week, allows him to take a sabbatical during which he can have a spell playing overseas.
Flanker and skipper McCaw is expected to agree a similar contract over the next couple of weeks.
Blackadder said Williams should be given the same flexibility to ensure he signs on to stay in New Zealand.
"I think he's just as important to be honest," he told Radio Sport.
"He's just been inspirational. He's played some fantastic rugby for the Crusaders and when you look at just how important he is for the World Cup and beyond, I just think he's one of those players that is just getting better and better, strength to strength ...
"He's a hero to a lot of the kids out there ... he's one of those guys who has x-factor all over him and he can just create and do things that other guys just can't do.
"It's absolutely critical that the NZRU re-signs him and he stays with New Zealand rugby for another couple of years."
Williams, 25, will contest the second of three boxing bouts allowed under his contract with the NZRU on June 5 and Blackadder believes he should continue to be allowed a couple of fights a year to "supplement" his rugby income.
"It's just common sense, it's better to do that than to say we can't afford it and let him go off and play in Europe," the former All Blacks captain added.
"I really believe its worth the trade-off."
Williams missed the Crusaders' last match against the Waikato Chiefs with an injured knee but should be fit for Sunday's mouthwatering clash against the table-topping Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Blackadder said.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire