Eyeing Rio: Williams
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Sonny Bill Williams admits the chance to win Olympic gold could tempt him to switch to rugby Sevens for the 2016 Rio Games as he weighs up his future.
The code-hopping kiwi is about to resume his rugby league career with the Sydney Roosters after winning a 10-round heavyweight boxing bout against veteran Francois Botha earlier this month.
But Williams, 27, a member of the World Cup-winning All Blacks team of 2011, told the Sydney Morning Herald that playing Sevens for New Zealand at the Rio Games was appealing to him.
"To win a gold medal sounds pretty good," he said.
"As a sportsman, if you don't have those sorts of dreams or aspirations then you may as well just stay in bed."
Williams refused to commit to continuing his boxing career after the draining fight won on points against the vastly more experienced Botha earlier this month in Australia.
"I think I am best at putting on the boots and running out on the field to play rugby union or rugby league," said Williams.
"If I had lost that fight I would have given it away because it is just not worth it, but I overcame some hurdles and the reaction of all the people close to me was good so we will assess it when the time is right."
Williams, on the receiving end of some heavy blows from Botha in the final round of the bout, admitted that boxing was a challenge.
"I am not perfect but I am just trying to keep improving and if everyone is saying I have improved then I will just keep plugging away and maybe have another fight," he said.
"But at this stage I am concentrating on playing rugby league and we will assess that after the season. At this stage, I have had enough of boxing for now."
Earlier this month All Black Liam Messam said he was considering switching to Sevens in order to compete for an Olympic gold medal.
The shortened form of the game becomes a full medal sport in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in 2016, a year after the next Rugby World Cup in England.
Comments
saintblack says...
the most over rated player eva.. im a proud ALL BLACK an ths kid is making a mockery of the sport.. stay with the roosters.
Posted 05:53 19th February 2013
APV1 says...
@ rugby_rockstar & ArmchairGeneral - many also argue that the forwards win matches and the backs decide by how much. Taking on your point, what you're basically saying is that the backs can't tackle.
As a dyed-in-the-wool forward, I tend to agree with you.
;-)
Posted 16:49 18th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Rock-star: defence wins games.. Thanks for the heads up. Does attack decide by how much?
Posted 13:29 18th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I do admire his drive to pack as much as possible into his finite sporting career.
he 27 now, he'll be 31. there'll be faster players running around him but his offload will still be as formidable as ever. Defence wins matches though.
Posted 10:29 18th February 2013
sirtidychris says...
The most complete player in rugby union is Dan Carter, SBW is a big lump with great hands and a better offload, dan carter is a rugby genius pulling the strings, reading the game like no other, brilliant hands, great pace, great kicking from hand and from the tee. SBW obviously has an ego but then all the best sportsmen have to have that self belief to do what they do, i have no doubt that he would cut the mustard at the highest level in sevens but they should make all the Nz team play at least one year of sevens rugby before making the olympics squad, not fair otherwise.
P.s Wish I could have seen peak jason robinson/ shane williams play olympic GB sevens !
Posted 10:05 18th February 2013
kiwilad says...
If he available and good enough, pick him, despite the associated circus that follows the man.
Posted 09:12 18th February 2013
Rugga68 says...
I will give to him he is multi talented, and its something new in regards to hopping sports code and being succesful in it!?
Posted 08:49 18th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
He could do Rugby World Cup 2015, then Olympics 2016.
Posted 08:05 18th February 2013
tha_mai says...
a bit of ego there, forgetting he has to be selected first!
And get a mid-week job too if he wants his big income.
At present NZ Sevens players start on NZ $25,000 (13,600 GB Pounds) a year, go to 35k after one year and minimum 4 tournaments, and then there are 3 elite players on 45k per year. On top of that they get NZ$2,000 per tournament.
He was getting more for one game in Japan than most NZ sevens players get in a year for that sport (some play ITM Cup also, another 15k+). The contract is due for renewal, but even a 20% increase - unlikely - keep them in the cheap seats in terms of international sport.
Posted 07:44 18th February 2013
melkdave says...
Well he is most probily the most complete player,in union history to date.I have no doughts he could play 7s just aswell if not better than he does the 15 man code .Olympic medals are very tempting things,and make a big statement ,about you as an athelte and person.
Posted 06:38 18th February 2013