Peter V’landys and NRL offer support to Roosters’ bid for Sonny Bill Williams
Peter V’landys has thrown his considerable will behind the Roosters’ bid to bring Sonny Bill Williams back to the NRL as coach Trent Robinson opens up on the club’s plans for the Kiwi superstar.
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Independent commission boss Peter V’landys has thrown his support behind the Sonny Bill Williams comeback at the Sydney Roosters, which now seems a formality from being completed.
He has even offered to assist the Roosters to make it happen in logistics.
“He’s a big brand and he’ll attract a lot of attention to our sport,” V’landy’s told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday morning.
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“We’ll help them in any way we can but we certainly won’t be providing any financial assistance. That goes for any club, not just the Roosters.
“When you’ve got a player of the magnitude of Sonny Bill Williams you do everything you can to get him into our competition.
But some hurdles still need to be cleared. Williams holds a New Zealand passport and would need a special exemption to travel directly to Australia with his wife and children under the nation’s coronavirus rules.
He must then serve 14 days in quarantine on arrival in Sydney, meaning he would only be available for the last four or five games of the season.
Asked if it would be a challenge to get the 34-year-old into the country, V’landys said:
“I don’t think so. It’s an employment matter. Two of his children have got Australian passports.
“It’s a matter for border security but I’m pretty confident that he will be allowed into Australia.”
SBW AND THE ROOSTERS ARE JUST RIGHT FOR EACH OTHER
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is confident Williams will return to the Roosters, where he played in 2013-14.
“We’re down the track in discussions with Sonny,” Robinson said.
“There’s a few things that need to be done to get it sorted but conversations are clear... it’s just all the details that need to get sorted with how it’s going to work.
“Travel won’t be until next week, it’s hard to get flights back, and then a quarantine period and training period.”
Robinson believes Sonny Bill Williams still has plenty to offer the Tricolours despite the cross-code superstar not playing in the NRL for almost six years.
As Williams’ return to the Roosters inches closer, Robinson has backed the 34-year old to defy Father Time and contribute to the Bondi club’s quest for a third straight premiership.
“He knows our people and our style of play, things haven’t changed. We’ve evolved that and he knows that by watching us, but he also feels our style of play still,” Robinson said.
“He knows the people in the place, a lot of our senior players were his teammates. He’s a Rooster, and he’s going to add value in some really key areas.”
Williams hasn’t played since March after the Super League season was suspended, and his form in his five appearances for Toronto was well below his best.
Robinson has realistic expectations of what Williams can contribute on the field this year, but said what the dual international could bring off the field would be just as important.
“I know the value of him, the professionalism and mentality of him as a person,” Robinson said.
“We understand it’s a big task but he’s a guy who loves taking on big challenges, and I won’t be capping him on what his ability to do things may be for this season.
“We’re not looking for anything spectacular, although he’s capable of it, we’re looking for a guy to add value to our squad.
“This is what good management needs to do, look at another ten rounds and a finals series.
“The squad is very important, this wasn’t done without consulting the captains of our club. Our job is to add value to the Roosters.”
Williams return is not yet a fait accompli, with layers of red tape still standing between him and a Roosters comeback.
Given he must isolate upon arrival in Australia for 14 days and spend at least a few weeks training to get his body ready for the rigours of the NRL, Robinson is only expecting Williams to play in the final four or five games of the regular season.
Williams would need to train while in isolation, but Robinson believes his professionalism and the club’s familiarity with his training methods would make the transition easier.
“It’s a task that other people have done,” Robinson said
“I’m confident in the mentality and the ability of Sonny. That’s about our management of him during that time and himself and how we prepare him post that.
“Our strength trainer trained him before he went to Toronto the last time.
“That contact has always been there, that’s why that familiarity with us – both on-field and with our training – is still there.”
‘WINX ODDS’: NERVOUS BOOKIES FEAR A SONNY BILL WINDFALL
Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello is convinced ageing superstar Sonny Bill Williams can be the X-factor to propel the reigning champs to a historic premiership three-peat, especially in the absence of injured ball playing lock Victor Radley.
It comes as the TAB is set to make a seismic adjustment in its premiership betting, preparing to slash the Roosters’ odds dramatically from $3.75 favourites into $2.75 when the deal officially gets the green light.
That level of wagering domination is usually only reserved for the likes of Winx and Black Caviar.
“Almost 25 per cent of money is already on the Roosters to win the premiership, which is more than double their closest rival in the Eels,” the TAB’s Matt Jenkins revealed.
Minichiello, SBW’s skipper from the 2013 grand final triumph, dismissed talk Sonny Bill is too old and has been away too long to make an impact upon his return.
On the contrary, Minichiello said: “If that was to happen it would add a different dimension to the team now that Victor is out”.
Minichiello was also adamant five-and-a-half years away from the NRL would not be too big a mountain for the soon-to-be 35-year-old.
Sonny Bill will become the NRL’s third oldest player behind Cameron Smith (37) and Benji Marshall (35).
He is also older than any current middle forward or edge backrower. North Queensland’s Gavin Cooper turns 35 later in August, while the Warriors’ Adam Blair was 34 in March.
Jenkins agreed with Minichiello’s assessment.
“They don’t need him to win it but he’s the final piece in the puzzle for a three-peat and replaces the loss of Radley nicely,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins also said the “significant price move also highlights the lack of genuine premiership contenders.
“There are only four teams – Roosters, Eels, Storm and Panthers – in single figures which has been unheard of in recent years,” he said.
While there has been speculation that the Warriors and Bulldogs could also be in the hunt for SBW’s services, Minichiello seemed convinced Williams would choose the Roosters — and not just because of his close friendship with powerful chairman Nick Politis.
“Sonny knows the culture of the club and the way Robbo (Trent Robinson) coaches,” Minichiello said.
“It is all first class.
“I am pretty sure if he is going to come back to the NRL he would want to come back to the Roosters.
“Just because of the professionalism of the club and the way they approach their footy and the way they think about their footy. It would be nice to see him back.”
Minichiello also agrees Williams could be the perfect replacement for Radley, who won’t play again this season after suffering an ACL knee injury.
The Roosters forward stocks were looking thin with gun backrower Angus Crichton (knee) also set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
“We do have a couple of injuries, Victor being a major one in that similar position,” Minichiello explained.
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“When Victor got injured he is an important part of our team.
“Not just because of the strong defence but the way he plays his footy. His combinations with his forwards and the combinations and link to the halfbacks has been outstanding, watching his evolvement over the last two years.
“And Sonny is a similar player. His link and combinations when he was at the club in the past was second to none.”
Asked if he could make the return a success after so long away from the NRL, Minichiello said: “Of course.
“Obviously he hasn’t had much rugby league time over the last few years.
“I don’t know how many games he has played this year but he definitely keeps himself fit.
“He is a total professional on and off the field.
“He has nutrition and recovery protocols, so there is no doubt if he does come back, when he adjusts to the timing and speed of it, he will be fine.
“It will take a few games to adjust to the timing of it all. But I am sure he would adjust to it.”
Originally published as Peter V’landys and NRL offer support to Roosters’ bid for Sonny Bill Williams