What’s The Buzz: Sonny Bill Williams cruises back into NRL in $400,000 Bentley
Sonny Bill Williams has gone from driving a second-hand Charade at the Bulldogs in 2008 to a $400,000 luxury car in his return to the NRL — and Nick Politis had nothing to do with it.
NRL
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Sonny Bill Williams has come a long way since he left the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008.
He’s gone from driving a tiny second-hand Daihatsu Charade — which he could barely fit into — to this beautiful $400,000 Bentley.
SBW’s manager Khoder Nasser said the superstar forward had the choice of a Ferrari, a Rolls or the Bentley when he arrived home.
And he denied Australia’s biggest car dealer, Roosters chairman Nick Politis, had anything to do with it. Politis has hundreds of new car franchises across the country.
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The car was provided by a friend, cleaning tycoon Mohammed Merhi.
“Nick had no idea he even had the Bentley,” Nasser said. “We organised it ourselves with friends.
“He was actually offered a Ferrari, a Rolls Royce or the Bentley for as long as he wanted. True story, they were knocking us over. They just want Sonny being seen driving their cars.”
Sonny Bill told The Sunday Telegraph he bought his first car as a teenager from old Bulldogs teammate Nate Myles for $3000 — an old Suzuki. He then ‘upgraded’ into the Daihatsu.
Asked about the Bentley, SBW said: “It’s a beautiful car. I’m so grateful to come back to Australia and have all this hospitality thrown at me. Close friends, associates, all people. I’ve been offered a few different cars.
“I get nervous driving it because I don’t want to get any scratches on it.
“But I’m really grateful.”
ROOSTERS LOCK IN STADIUM DEAL
Nick Politis was the first man to put a sponsor on the front of a rugby league jersey way back in 1976.
The legendary Eastern Suburbs supremo inked another first last week, with confirmation that the Roosters will call the new Sydney Football Stadium their home until at least 2047.
It’s the longest-ever venue contract in rugby league, confirming a heads of agreement that was reached last year and gives the Roosters first crack at the magnificent new 45,000 seat stadium.
While most of their Sydney rivals struggle at outdated old suburban grounds, Roosters fans and all rugby league supporters will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities at the most stunning sporting venue in the southern hemisphere.
“This will be up there with the best stadiums in the world,” Politis said.
“We’re proud and honoured to be calling it our new home.
“We started in the Moore Park precinct in 1908 and have been here ever since.
“Our fans and members will love it. With the television coverage so appealing these days, you need a facility like this to entice people to come to the football and enjoy the comfort.”
Easts/Roosters have played at six home grounds in the SCG precinct – the Show Ground (1908-30), Sydney Sports Ground (1911), Sydney Cricket Ground (1913-current), SCG No.2 (1920-23), Sydney Football Stadium (1988 – 2018) and the new Sydney Football Stadium.
“This has, and always will be, the Roosters’ home turf,” said SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd. “The Roosters are part of the fabric of our grounds, the stories and culture that make the club so great are written here and will continue to be for the next 25 years at least.”