Sbw

[Hurricane]

We want you: Sonny Bill meets league's heavy hitters

Why did he ever switch to union then was all about money like everyone said at the time.

[KiWiNiNjA]

Is this like a really plumb LBW?

Sham Before Wicket

[sledger]

No, it's a misspelling of "**** nobody cares about".

[dontcloseyoureyes]

No, it's a misspelling of "**** nobody cares about".

[BoyBrumby]

See he's due to fight for the NZ heavyweight title. He's had, what, four fights before? Guessing New Zealand not overburdened with heavyweight boxers currently.

[sledger]

Re-using material of another (of my favourite) posters? You can do better!

[Ausage]

If he joins the Poosters the howls from mange fans would be worth the ignominy of accepting the money grubbing whore back into the game. With any luck they'll come up with a slogan almost as stupid as Bred not Bought. Good times.

Hurricane surely you didn't swallow the tripe from his marketing team that $BW was ever about anything but the money.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Re-using material of another (of my favourite) posters? You can do better!

Because you're a bastion of originality.

[sledger]

Not because of that at all tbh.

[Hurricane]

Hurricane surely you didn't swallow the tripe from his marketing team that $BW was ever about anything but the money.

You mean there's no Santa either?

edit - why did he come and play in nz instead of staying in france,

[Ausage]

You mean there's no Santa either?

edit - why did he come and play in nz instead of staying in france,

No idea. Scored his big payday and wanted to come home? More personal marketing opportunities in this part of the world? Maybe he believed his own hype and wanted a chance to launch his "boxing career" which would be easier if he was located here?

Believe me he'll be getting a big chunk of money if he ever comes back to League, it won't be because he loves the game or any other rubbish we'll no doubt get shoved down our throats. It's no conincidence that he's having these talks now with the new NRL tv deal incoming, and a large increase in the salary cap likely.

[Eds]

You mean there's no Santa either?

edit - why did he come and play in nz instead of staying in france,

To get in the NZ RWC side?

[Hurricane]

To get in the NZ RWC side?

Which he wouldn't do if he just wanted $s

Or does the RWC selection boost his star power and $s in his next contract?

[thierry henry]

I'd say there's a combination of wanting money and glory. Being part of a RWC winning side boosted his profile in NZ, arguably made him a better known rugby player overall, and boosted the amount of money he could earn overseas in future. I wouldn't imagine he has missed out on much financially all things considered.

For all of the talk of the massive money available in Europe, why would a European rugby side, apart from Toulon who seemingly had endless money to throw around on pretty speculative purchases, pay top dollar for SBW? There are many more accomplished Union players around and prior to his ABs stint his profile was based on playing rugby league in Sydney and playing for Toulon. Being a RWC winning All Black certainly sets him up better.

tbh I find it personally pretty galling when people buy into his "All Black dream" as him and his whole family are 100% rugby league and SBW has no connection to Union whatsoever apart from pursuing the money and fame from 2008 onwards.

[thierry henry]

See he's due to fight for the NZ heavyweight title. He's had, what, four fights before? Guessing New Zealand not overburdened with heavyweight boxers currently.

lol nope, boxrec suggests we currently have 17 active professional heavyweights who have actually won a fight. David Tua is obviously ranked #1, the bloke who is #2 holds another version (?!?) of the NZ heavyweight title, and SBW and his opponent are ranked #4 and #5.