What’s the Buzz: Paul Gallen tells all on Northies night with SBW

Ahead of their anticipated bout, Paul Gallen opens up on the first time he met Sonny Bill Williams, and what he did with his Kiwis jersey when they swapped kits after a Test match.

Paul Gallen can remember the first time he met nemesis Sonny Bill Williams a bit over 20 years ago.

It was at Northies of all places — the infamous Cronulla watering hole from where many a footballer has found misfortune over the years in various unsavoury incidents.

Gallen is not sure of the year, but thinks it was 2004.

That was SBW’s first year at the Canterbury Bulldogs and Gallen’s fourth season at the Cronulla Sharks.

“I do remember sitting around the pool table and having a drink and chatting with him,” Gallen said.

“It might have been for half an hour. He seemed like a decent bloke. We got on fine.”

Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen at Northies

Sonny Bill and Gallen would later become two of the biggest names in rugby league history.

SBW converted to Islam, gave away the drink and they went their separate ways.

They met again at Old Trafford for the 2013 World Cup final and even swapped jerseys at the end of the game.

“Look, I didn’t want it,” Gallen said.

“So I gave it to my best mate Scott Hogan, who’s a Kiwi and a massive Roosters fan. He’s got it up on his wall at home.

Scott Hogan owns the Sonny Bill Williams jersey once given to Paul Gallen. Credit: Supplied.

“Hoges is always in my corner for my fights. So he’ll be trying to help me beat his hero.”

After years of verbal stoushes and false starts, Gallen and SBW will finally step into the ring in July.

The build-up will be as spiteful as the fight.

Gallen says: “Certain things about him I really respect but when it comes to boxing, I don’t respect what he’s done. Have a look at who he’s fought. I just can’t respect that.

“Personally, we’ve never been close or got to know each other, outside of the night at Northies.

“I’m 43 years old, I’ve got a great circle of mates, and don’t need to be trying to make new friends at this stage of my life.”

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Paul Gallen tells all on Northies night with SBW