Injured Sonny Bill's skiing trip irks Canterbury bosses

BY MARC GREENHILL

Sonny Bill Williams is on a slippery slope with Canterbury rugby bosses after an unauthorised ski trip while on the injury list.

The star signing has been reprimanded by the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) for going skiing last Saturday and
this morning All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith described it as a "bad decision".

Williams has not yet played for Canterbury in the ITM Cup because of injury. He had been ruled out of the match against Tasman, being played in Nelson the day of the ski trip.

A CRFU spokesman said yesterday Williams had skied at the Mt Hutt Ski Area during a sightseeing tour for "overseas guests".

"I believe he put skis on a couple of times, did a couple of runs, and then took them off and watched," he said.

"He needed to get clearance [first], but he didn't do that."

The spokesman said the matter was handled "internally".

"He's been talked to and reminded of his responsibilities in terms of letting people know what he's doing.

"He taken that on the chin and realised he's made a mistake in this instance."

Williams resumed full training this week, but the transgression did not result in his non-selection.

"It's already out there that he's not going to be playing for us on Saturday [against Auckland], but that's purely because he hasn't been playing any rugby recently."

It is likely that Williams will play for Canterbury Metro in Saturday's curtain-raiser.

Smith said Williams' actions shouldn't be construed that the 25-year-old lacks professionalism nor the desire to play for the All Blacks.

"(But) It's significant enough for people to be asking questions," Smith told Livesport Radio.

"From my point of view, having met him a few times, I think he is serious, it's a fairly major decision to come out here and follow his dream.

"He's a young man and all young men make bad decisions at times. This is simply one of those."

Smith said the former National Rugby League star still had a chance to push for a place in the season-ending All Blacks tour to Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

"Sonny's got to play well for Canterbury before he even gets close to an All Blacks environment," Smith said.

"It depends how well he goes. It's probably not the number (of games), it's the quality of them.

"He could go on and blow the competition wide open or he could take a while to settle in. That will be the relevant point I think. If he looks like he's to the manor born and going to be a very productive member of the team then we'll have a look at him."

Mt Hutt Ski Area manager David Wilson said none of his staff reported seeing Williams.

"I didn't see him and he didn't say 'hello' to me," he said.

"I'm not aware that he was up here, but he could have been."

Williams was spotted last Saturday evening enjoying the Methven nightlife, while wearing a knitted reindeer cardigan.

Methven teacher Kathryn Gunn took the opportunity of a photo with the former league star at The Brown Pub.

"He was so friendly and lovely," she said.

"I spotted him and no-one believed me, so I got some people to ask if it was him."

The Brown Pub owner Trev Den Baars said Williams drank coffee with a group and watched rugby on the television.

Williams was recognised by "a few" locals and was happy to pose for photos.

"I said `gidday' and turned the TV volume up for them.

"I recognised that he just wanted some peace and quiet.

"The locals and the youngsters that were about were very excited about seeing him, that's for sure."

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union spokesman said Williams was not required in Nelson, despite the promotional potential for the union's Crusaders franchise partner.

"We've got to pay for an extra [plane] seat and an extra hotel bed. That's never a policy for any team," he said.

"It's just a waste of money."

Williams did attend Canterbury's pre-season match against Tasman in Blenheim.

"Our franchise partners had a good look at him then and he signed about 1000 autographs and had about 500 pictures taken."

-with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News