In a surprising turn of events, rugby icon Sonny Bill Williams has raised eyebrows with his selection of the greatest rugby players he’s ever played alongside or against.
The New Zealand legend, approached by Australian sports outlet Sporting News, unveiled his dream team, notably excluding former teammates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who boast a collective 260 test matches for the All Blacks.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
When naming the best players he played with during his career, Sonny Bill omitted Carter in favour of England legend Jonny Wilkinson, who he played alongside at Toulon.
Williams said: “I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had.
“When I played with him, he was pretty much at the height of his powers, but the way he dedicated himself to his craft was unbelievable and I learnt a lot from him.”
Wilkinson, meanwhile, paid tribute to Sonny Bill when the pair were playing together. he said: “I think he will go brilliantly.
“His strength is his strength – his ability to keep the ball alive, his physicality, his ball movement and game awareness in space and people around him. I’ve not seen the likes of him before. He gets hurt, but never seems to go backwards.”
Another player who made Williams list was legendary France flanker Thierry Dusautoir, who captained Les Bleus against the All Blacks in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.
Williams added: “From my time in France I’d have to say, Thierry Dusautoir.
“He wasn’t just an amazing player, but you can see the way he rallies his troops and how he performed in those big games. He’s someone I really admire.”
“Back with a bang” – Five England hopefuls who impressed in the Premiership this weekend
England boss Steve Borthwick will have been keeping a close eye on potential stars, and these five players surely caught his attention in the opening round, showcasing the form and physicality needed on the international stage.
#1. George Ford (Sale Sharks)
George Ford’s assured kicking from the tee proved pivotal as Sale Sharks edged a scrappy encounter to kick off their Premiership campaign. The England fly-half landed four penalties to steer his side to victory in wet conditions in the North West, following a downpour earlier in the day.
Harlequins took the game’s only try in the first half, with hooker Jack Walker powering over from a line-out drive. But Ford, absent from England’s summer tour, made a strong case for a swift return under Steve Borthwick, showcasing his trademark composure and game management in tough conditions. No other fly-half in the league can match his experience in pressure situations.
The other good news is coming out of France that Ford has rejected big money offers to re-sign with Sale, where his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.