Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: The $1 million Sonny Bill Williams book blunder
His book is called ‘You Can’t Stop the Sun From Shining’ but the weather is very gloomy for the publisher who paid near-record money for Sonny Bill Williams’ biography.
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The publisher which reportedly paid a mammoth $1 million for the rights to publish Sonny Bill Williams’ biography might be regretting the decision to pay near-record money for a sporting book deal.
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We have been told that publisher Hachette is a mile away from recouping its costs for a book that can already be picked up cheaply in discount bins.
SBW’s book You Can’t Stop The Sun from Shining was published in October.
LEILUA BURNS LAST NRL BRIDGE
The expletive-laden acceptance speech that followed his pro boxing debut has officially ended Joey Leilua’s NRL career.
Set to play in the UK this year with Featherstone Rovers, Leilua, 30, could have returned to Australia to resume his NRL career had he used his time in England to work hard and recapture his form.
That was until he burnt all his NRL bridges with a stupid – as it was shocking – speech after his Footy Fight Night win over Chris Heighington.
Telling his doubters to “go f--- themselves” only validated Wests Tigers’ decision to let the ex-Samoan international go. It also turned every other NRL club off him for good.
“He did himself no favours,” an NRL CEO said. “He is the type of player that has the talent to make it back from the UK but we will not see him in the NRL after that. He is a loose cannon.”
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SAINT
The incredible four-over spell that ruined England may have put Scott Boland on the map – but it was his smile and humility that won over a nation. While most would have celebrated every wicket he took with first pumps and carry on, Boland simply smiled his way through one of the most remarkable Test debuts. Boland marked each of his six second-innings wickets with little more than a cheeky grin and was more grateful than triumphant when addressing the crowd in his man-of-the-match acceptance speech. A couple of Panthers would be well served to take note.
SINNER
Australian cricket for delivering just two indigenous Test players in 144 years. While we all should applaud the long line of coaches, managers, trainers and administrators who helped get Scott Boland into the Test arena, some serious questions need to be asked as to why he and Jason Gillespie are the only two First Nation players to have represented Australia in a Test match. CA could learn a lot from the NRL, whose programs and pathways have helped deliver 206 indigenous players to the game in the NRL era alone.
SHOOSH
Which high-profile NRL recruit has done himself no favours by telling his new teammates of his desire to do a deal with Redcliffe Dolphins in 2023. Obviously unaware of the damage Reagan Campbell-Gillard did to both himself and Parramatta when he publicly declared he wanted to join the incoming NRL franchise, the recruit has been bragging about how much he is expecting to get. Yet to play a game for his new club, the player might not get on to the field at all this year if word filters up to management.
SPOTTED
Some of rugby league’s most colourful characters were on hand to help former Roosters player Kandy Tamer celebrate his 50th birthday. A lower grade journeyman who knew how to party, Tamer relived his glory days with a formidable drinking crew that included John Elias, Ben Elias and Nat Wood. We have been told our own Paul Kent did his best to keep up, but proved a lightweight.
SPOTTED
Josh Reynolds catching up with old neighbour and teammate Michael Lichaa. Back in Australia after a stellar year in the English Super League, Reynolds caught up with his one-time partner in crime for a long overdue drink. We are happy to report Reynolds and Lichaa — who both endured tough breakups — are back on their feet and smiling.
Saint Nick
Don’t be surprised if a few Roosters juniors one day shun offers from rival clubs to stay loyal to the red, white and blue.
In a small act of generosity that may lead to a big act of loyalty, Nick Politis sent Christmas hampers with a personally signed card to several promising Roosters juniors.
Some of the clubs who struggle to retain their juniors should learn a thing or two from Uncle Nick.
Paris no certainty for Rio great
Fans of modern pentathlon star Chloe Esposito will have to wait a bit longer to see her back in action after the Rio Olympic gold medallist announced her pregnancy on social media.
The 30-year-old, who is expecting her second child in April, decided against competing at the delayed Tokyo Olympics and hasn’t yet said whether Paris 2024 is in her sights.
But the dual Olympian is not a fan of riding being stripped from her event.
“I’m going to keep this short and simple as so many athletes have made so many great points for why riding should remain in pentathlon,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I don’t agree with the UIPM’s decision to remove the riding from modern pentathlon and truly believe this could spell the end for our wonderful sport.
“Generations of pentathletes and coaches will disengage and with the lack of leadership and direction currently in our sport it’s hard to see how they could recover the situation.”
The sport’s governing body is yet to announce the replacement discipline for riding, which will be dropped by the 2028 Olympics.
Australia gets Supercross series
Australia is set to host a global sporting event after two young Aussies came from the clouds to win promotional rights to the FIM Supercross World Championships.
Backed by former Supercars boss and now AFL chairman Tony Cochrane, Ryan Sanderson and Adam Bailey launched what proved to be the winning bid for the dirt bike series that is huge in both the US and Europe. The ex-Supercars employees who now run SX Global are intent on bringing the World Championship event to Australia.
“Supercross’s popularity and growth globally has surged in recent years, so it’s fitting we can now take the sport to the world stage,” Bailey said.
“We intend to uncover new Supercross champions from all corners of the globe while celebrating and elevating current riders to be true international stars.
“We’ll showcase their incredible athletic ability and fearlessness to the world.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the entire motorcycling industry to showcase Supercross to the world.”
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