SBW driven by self-doubt as he prepares for return

Sydney Roosters superstar Sonny Bill Williams is driven by fear and self-doubt as he prepares to make his return to the NRL against Canberra on Saturday night

Sonny Bill Williams looks on from the Roosters bench during the club’s victory over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sonny Bill Williams is buzzing with excitement and beset by nerves. He is staring down his own expectations and staving off self-doubt. Williams is a global superstar but even he has moments when he wonders whether he is still up to the rigours of the NRL.

“If you don’t, you are not human,” Williams told The Australian.

“Mankind has been created weak. I am no different. Of course I doubt myself … you always get nervous bro. I have been playing this game for a long time and that never changes.”

Asked what has him on edge as he prepares to make his return to the NRL against Canberra on Saturday night, Williams said: “Everything bro. I am 35, I haven’t played for over six months, I am coming into a back-to-back premiership winning team.

“There are nerves and expectations. Then, there is my expectations on myself. I think the biggest thing of all is to try to get my teammates’ respect. That probably gives me the most nerves.”

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Williams has arrived at the Roosters in unique circumstances. He had only just taken up a $10 million contract at the Toronto Wolfpack in the English Super League when COVID-19 hit and the Canadian team struck financial trouble.

What started as a dream for Roosters supporters and officials quickly became a reality as Williams boarded a plane and returned to the club he led to the 2013 premiership.

He has spent two weeks in quarantine with his family and another two weeks preparing his mind and body for what lies in wait in the nation’s capital.

Coach Trent Robinson has named him on the interchange bench, although there were suggestions he was under an injury cloud and may not take his place.

When William failed to appear at a skills session on Monday, those rumours gained more traction. Williams insists is preparing to play.

“As you know, talk is just talk sometimes,” he said.

“I am as good as I can be.”

The fact he will take his place will be a relief to the fortunate Canberra fans who snapped up tickets to the game in record time, not to mention Fox League executives who are so excited by his return that they plan to train a camera on him for the entire match.

The expectation is that the game, to be shown exclusively on Fox league, will be a ratings hit. The pandemic, however, has restricted the number of people who can be there in the person – only 3000 tickets have been made available despite the best efforts of the Raiders to convince the ACT government to allow more through the gates.

The first 1500 tickets went on sale on Monday and were gone within 15 minutes. The second lot of 1500 tickets went even quicker – in 10 minutes. Williams is 35 and will battle rust, yet he remains one of the biggest drawcards in the either rugby code.

His teammates have lathered him in praise since news broke that he may be coming back to the Roosters, adding to the expectation that he could have the same impact that he had when he inspired the club to a premiership seven years ago.

“That is just them being nice bro,” William said.

“I still have to perform. That is the crux of it. It has been nice. The boys have been really welcoming. You can see there is a reason why they have been successful.

“They have cultivated a culture that allows everyone to feel like themselves, but then also understand it is a high performance environment too.

“I have been pretty much in that bubble – training and coming home. I have enjoyed it.”

He and the Roosters will enjoy it even more if they maintain their current form. Since their loss to the Melbourne Storm a few weeks ago, they have string together emphatic wins over the Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos.

They are gathering steam at the right time of year. Williams now comes into the mix and you sense it will be seamless.

“I am under no illusions bro,” he said.

“Like I have always stated – that is the challenge, to try to add value to this great side. I am under no illusions. I even stated there was a chance I night not play but this week I have been given that shot.

“We just have to do our best and always be grateful for firstly, the challenges and secondly, what happens, whether good or bad.”