Sonny Bill Williams included in New Zealand squad
Sonny Bill Williams has been named in the New Zealand squad to tour the northern hemisphere next month.
New Zealand is due to play a series of Test matches against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales through November. Williams recently left Toulon to further his international ambitions and becomes the only
new player in the Kiwi ranks.
"We feel that we have got a very good rugby squad, well led by some very experienced All Blacks, and we are excited by the challenges that we have ahead of us," said New Zealand coach Graham Henry.
Williams has a lot of quality that should see him do well at international level. He will be chomping at the bit to make an impression for New Zealand now he has a chance that didn't look as though it
would happen.
A lot of quality
Sonny Bill Williams is a very versatile player, which will make him important on a long foreign tour. He is most effective playing in the middle of a team but he can switch and play wider in a more attacking
role.
His pace in the middle is very high. This means he can put the opposition defence on the back foot very quickly, it also means he can get across to opposition players and close them down before they have
a chance to offload the ball.
Passing is very important to any player that plays mainly in the middle of the pitch. Williams is very good at passing the ball short when there is a lack of space around him. However, he can pass long
and take a number of players out of the game with one pass.
Williams is the strongest pound for pound player in the New Zealand team. He is capable of rattling good players in the opposition with a heavy challenge. This gives his game at centre an extra edge.
Betting advice
Williams will not get on the score sheet too frequently. However, back him to do so if he gets on in one of New Zealand's early autumn matches. He'll be very determined to make an impression.
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